Anti-depressant and neuroprotective effects of captopril and perindopril in paraquat model of parkinsonism

Abstract

Non-motor symptoms such as depression, dementia, autonomic nervous system problems may be more evident in the later part of Parkinsonism. L-dopa is largely ineffective for non-motor symptoms. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anti-depressant and neuroprotective role of captopril and perindopril in paraquat mice model of Parkinsonism. Adult Swiss albino mice were divided into five groups of six each. Parkinsonism was induced with paraquat (7mg/kg bodyweight at an interval of 2 days) in four groups. Experimental group was treated with captopril (20mg/kg intraperitoneal) and perindopril (5mg/kg intraperitoneal). Depression influences on behaviour was studied with forced swim test and tail suspension test. Oxidative stress markers - glutathione, lipid peroxidation assay, myeloperoxidase activity, catalase, superoxide dismutase, monoamine oxidase A and Bare carried out in one hemisection of the mice brain to evaluate the neuroprotective role of the test drugs. The test group mice exposed to captopril and perindopril had significantly less immobility time in both forced swim test and tail suspension test in comparison to the paraquat group, indicating anti-depressant effects of these drugs. Lipid peroxidation, myeloperoxidase activity, catalase, superoxide dismutase, monoamine oxidase B levels were significantly increased in both captopril and perindopril groups in comparison to the control group. Captopril and perindopril have shown beneficial effects for depression (as evidenced through forced swimming test and tail suspension test) in paraquat model of Parkinsonism. These drugs reduce the oxidative stress in paraquat mice model of Parkinsonism.