Neuroprotective effect of geniposide on Parkinson's disease model mice

Abstract

Objective  To investigate the neuroprotective effect of geniposide on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) induced Parkinson's disease (PD) model mice and possible mechanism.  Methods  A total of 48 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control, model, geniposide and MPTP + geniposide groups. The behaviors of C57BL/6 mice were assessed by using open field test, the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and Bcl-2 positive neurons in the midbrain substantia nigra of mice were detected by immunohistochemistry and the number of apoptosis neurons were observed with TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL).  Results  The number of mobile grid [(76.33 ± 8.59) times/5 min], standing [(19.58 ± 3.97) times/5 min], TH-positive neurons [(12.83 ± 2.32)/HPF] and Bcl-2-positive neurons [(10.83 ± 2.23)/HPF] in model group were significantly lower than those in the control group [(142.50 ± 11.65) times/5 min, (39.17 ± 4.75) times/5 min, (35.67 ± 1.75)/HPF, (20.67 ± 1.75)/HPF; P = 0.000, for all]. The apoptosis neurons in model group [(20.33 ± 2.58)/HPF] were significantly higher than that in control group [(3.83 ± 1.67) /HPF, P = 0.000). The number of mobile grid [(97.67 ± 13.15) times/5 min, P = 0.000], standing [(29.33 ± 2.90) times/5 min, P = 0.000], TH-positive neurons [(17.50 ± 2.07)/HPF, P = 0.002] and Bcl-2-positive neurons [(15.17 ± 2.79) /HPF, P = 0.003] in MPTP + geniposide group were significantly higher than those in model group. The number of apoptosis neurons [(14.67 ± 3.08) /HPF] in MPTP + geniposide group was significantly lower than that in model group (P = 0.001). Conclusions Geniposide can protect dopaminergic neurons in MPTP-induced neurodegeneration and the mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of neuronal apoptosis.

DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1672-6731.2015.06.012