Effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Achyranthes aspera on haloperidol-induced Parkinson’s disease in Wistar rats

Abstract

Objective: Prolonged usage of neuroleptics in psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia provokes extrapyramidal symptoms that are also seen in Parkinson’s disease. An attempt has been made to study the neuroprotective role of Achyranthes aspera hydroalcoholic (HA) extract on haloperidol-induced Parkinson’s symptoms in Wistar rats. Methods: The present study deals with the antiparkinson effect of HA extract of A. aspera on haloperidol (2 mg/kg intraperitoneal administration)- induced catatonia in Wistar rats. The motor coordination in case of haloperidol-treated animals was studied by performing rotarod test and hang test. Dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid were estimated using an electrochemical detector and high-performance liquid chromatography. The antioxidant status was also assessed to know the neurotoxicity of haloperidol by estimating the levels of lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, glutathione (GSH) peroxidase, and reduced GSH by performing individual assays. Results: All these assessments were done on 24 Wistar rats which were divided into four groups (n=6). HA was administered at 200 and 400 mg/kg doses, 30 minutes before haloperidol treatment for 20 days. HA significantly (*p<0.05, **p<0.01) improved the antioxidant status. Conclusion: The results shown that HA shows a protective role in haloperidol catalepsy and also possess antioxidant property.