Lupeol restores dopaminergic function by suppressing glial activation in a Parkinson's disease mouse model - PubMed
3 days ago
- #Parkinson's disease
- #neuroprotection
- #lupeol
- Lupeol, a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid, shows neuroprotective effects in a Parkinson's disease (PD) mouse model.
- The study used an MPTP-induced PD mouse model to investigate lupeol's effects on dopaminergic function and neuroinflammation.
- Lupeol treatment (50 mg/kg) improved motor impairments and restored dopamine and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) levels.
- Lupeol reduced neuroinflammation by decreasing microglial activation, astrocyte reactivity, and inflammatory mediators.
- Oxidative stress markers (ROS, LPO) were diminished in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and striatum after lupeol treatment.
- Lupeol upregulated antioxidant defense mechanisms by increasing Nrf-2 and HO-1 expression.
- Apoptotic markers (Cytochrome C, Bax, Caspase-3) were downregulated, indicating reduced neuronal apoptosis.
- The findings suggest lupeol inhibits glial cell activation, reducing neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in PD.