ANTI-PARKINSON ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF LEAVES OF MURRAYA KOENIGII AGAINST PARAQUAT-INDUCED PARKINSONISM IN WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Objective: The current study evaluates anti-Parkinson’s activity of aqueous extracts of leaves of Murraya koenigii (MK) (AEMK) against paraquat (PQ)-induced Parkinsonism in rats. Methods: In this study, effects of MK (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) were studied using in vivo behavioral parameters such as catalepsy, muscle rigidity, and locomotor activity and its effects on neurochemical parameters malondialdehyde, catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) reductase, GSH peroxidase, and GSH in rats. Results: Parkinson’s disease was induced by administering PQ 10 mg/kg b.w/i.p once in a week for 4 weeks. The increased cataleptic scores were significantly (p<0.001) found to be reduced, with the AEMK in a dose-dependent manner. Chronic administration of PQ significantly induced motor dysfunction (muscle rigidity and hypolocomotion), showed a significant increase in lipid peroxidation level, and depleted the levels of GSH, CAT, and reduced GSH. Daily administration of AEMK significantly improved motor performance and also significantly attenuated oxidative damage. Conclusion: The study proved that MK treatment significantly attenuated motor defects and also protected the brain from oxidative stress.