P4–262: Neuro‐protective effects of pomegranate juice extracts on 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridin (MPTP)–induced neurotoxicity in human neurons

Abstract

Background: 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin (MPTP) is one of the most widely used in vitro model for Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: We investigated the therapeutic effect of pomegranate juice extracts (i.e. helow, malasi, qusum, and hamedh) against MPTP-induced neurotoxicity in primary human neurons, by examining lipid peroxidation markers and endogenous antioxidant levels including lipid peroxidation products, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Results: We report that helow and malasi can ameliorate MPTP-induced oxidative stress by reducing the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and enhancing the levels of GSH, and SOD, catalase GPx activities to a greater extent than qusum and hamedh. Conclusions: Pomegranates juice extracts offer a promising new strategy for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and PD in particular.