Objective: Hypericum perforatum
extract (HPE), known for its antidepressant effect, has been explored in the present study for its protective role against MPTP induced neurotoxicity.
Materials and Methods: Mice were treated with 20 mg/kg of MPTP, four injections i.p., at 2 h intervals within 24 h. HPE was administered at different doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg (p.o) in different groups once a day for seven days and the dose on the first day was given 30 min prior to first MPTP injection. Striatal dopamine (DA) and its metabolites, antioxidant status were analysed. The behavioural changes were studied using the rotarod test, hang test and narrow beam test.
Results: HPE significantly (
P < 0.05) improved the behavioural activities, striatal neurotransmitter levels and striatal antioxidant status in a dose dependent manner and significantly (
P < 0.05) reduced TBARS levels.
Conclusion: HPE possesses significant antioxidant activity and renders neuroprotection which was more pronounced at the dose of 300 mg/kg against MPTP induced neurotoxicity.
