Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective and antiparkinsonian effects of the ethanolic extract of Amorphophallus paeoniifolius tuber (APT) against haloperidol-induced Parkinson’s Disease (PD) model.

Background: Tardive dyskinesia, a severe side effect of long-term use of typical neuroleptics like haloperidol, poses significant challenges. Amorphophallus paeoniifolius known as “Elephant foot yam” is a highly potential tropical tuber crop of Araceae family. The tubers are used as antihaemorrhoidal, haemostatic, expectorant, appetizer, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac and rejuvenating agent.

Method: In this study, a haloperidol-induced PD mouse model (n=8) was utilized. Forty mice were subjected to haloperidol treatment (2mg/kg/day via intraperitoneal injections) for 5 weeks. PD symptoms such as tremors, akinesia, rigidity, catalepsy, and vacuous chewing movements (VCMs) were assessed. APT was administered at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight following stress. L-dopa and carbidopa combination served as the standard drug. Behavioral analyses including locomotor activity and grip strength were conducted, along with evaluation of brain regions (striatum, substantia nigra) for BDNF expression, oxidative stress, and histopathological changes.

Results: APT demonstrated significant, dose-dependent enhancements in behavioral activity and muscular coordination. Notably, there was a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and an increase in antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT) and non-enzymatic activity of reduced glutathione (GSH) in the extract-treated groups compared to controls. Pretreatment with APT (200 , 400 mg/kg) significantly mitigated muscular rigidity, catalepsy duration, akinesia, tremor frequency, and increased fighting behavior. Furthermore, while haloperidol led to a progressive increase in VCMs, APT significantly reduced VCMs. Haloperidol-induced decreases in BDNF expression in the striatum and substantia nigra were counteracted by APT administration, with a significant increase in BDNF expression observed.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate the antioxidant potential of APT and its partial protection against VCMs induced by haloperidol in rats. These results underscore the potential of natural compounds in mitigating haloperidol-induced VCMs in rats, suggesting a protective role against this side effect.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/neuroprotective-efficacy-of-ethanolic-extract-from-amorphophallus-paeoniifolius-tuber-against-haloperidol-induced-parkinsons-disease-model/