The effects of Biarum carduchrum hydroalcoholic extract on oxidative stress and catalepsy in the 6-hydroxydopamine-induced rat model of Parkinson's disease

Background and Objective: Parkinson is a neurodegenerative disease that leads to incurable and debilitating conditions. Herbal extracts can afford protection against neurodegenerative diseases due to their bioactive compounds. In the present study, we investigated the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of B. carduchrum on catalepsy and brain oxidative stress in rat’s model of Parkinson’s disease. Materials and Methods: Rats were randomly divided into five groups of eight animals. The control group was left intact. Parkinsonian group received an injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in the right anterior mid-brain. Extract treated groups received hydro-alcoholic extract of B. carduchrum at doses of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg by gavage seven days after 6-OHDA injection. 14 days after treatment, bar test was performed and lipid peroxide levels of different brain regions were determined. Data were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Tukey's test using SPSS software and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In 6-OHDA-lesioned group, bar time was increased significantly (P<0.05) when compared with the control group (122.50 ± 90.12 versus 0.00±0.00).B. carduchrum at doses of 200 and 400mg/kg significantly reduced 6-OHDA induced catalepsy (P<0.0.5). 6-OHDA treatment leads to significant increases in lipid peroxide levels of cerebellum, cortex, hippocampus and striatum (P<0.05). Administration of B. carduchrum extract at different doses caused significant reduction in the lipid peroxide levels of different brain regions (P