Neuroprotective effects of longan ( Dimocarpus longan Lour.) flower water extract on MPP+-induced neurotoxicity in rat brain

J Agric Food Chem. 2012 Sep 12;60(36):9188-94. doi: 10.1021/jf302792t. Epub 2012 Aug 31.

Abstract

In this study, the neuroprotective effect of Dimocarpus longan Lour. flower water extract (LFWE) was investigated. First, an in vitro study showed that LFWE concentration-dependently inhibited lipid peroxidation of brain homogenates incubated at 37 °C. The antioxidative activity of LFWE was more potent than that of glutathione or Trolox. Furthermore, an ex vivo study found that the basal lipid peroxidation (0 °C) and lipid peroxidation incubated at 37 °C were lower in the brain homogenates of LFWE-treated (500 mg/day) rats, indicating that the brain of LFWE-treated rats was more resistant to oxidative stress. Moreover, a Parkinsonian animal model was employed to demonstrate that oral administration of LFWE (125-500 mg/kg/day) dose-dependently attenuated 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+))-induced neurotoxicity in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system of rat brain. In conclusion, this study suggests that LFWE is antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic. Furthermore, oral administration of LFWE appears to be useful in preventing and/or treating central nervous system neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinsonism.

MeSH terms

  • 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium / toxicity*
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Flowers / chemistry*
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Male
  • Neuroprotective Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage*
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Sapindaceae / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium