Neuroprotective Effects of San-Huang-Xie-Xin-Tang in the MPP+/MPTP Models of Parkinson's DiseaseIn VitroandIn Vivo

Yi-Ching Lo, Yu-Tzu Shih, Yu-Ting Tseng, Hung-Te Hsu
2012 Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine  
San-Huang-Xie-Xin-Tang (SHXT), composed ofCoptidis rhizoma, Scutellariae radix, andRhei rhizoma, is a traditional Chinese medicine used for complementary and alternative therapy of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases via its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effects of SHXT in the 1–methyl–4–phenylpyridinium (MPP+)/1–methyl–4–phenyl–1,2,3,6–tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) models of Parkinson's disease. Rat primary
more » ... c neurons and mouse Parkinson disease model were used in this study. Oxidative stress was induced by MPP+in vitroand MPTPin vivo. In MPP+-treated mesencephalic neuron cultures, SHXT significantly increased the numbers of TH-positive neurons. SHXT reduced apoptotic signals (cytochrome and caspase) and apoptotic death. MPP+-inducedgp91phoxactivation and ROS production were attenuated by SHXT. In addition, SHXT increased the levels of GSH and SOD in MPP+-treated neurons. In MPTP animal model, SHXT markedly increased TH-positive neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and improved motor activity of mice. In conclusion, the present results reveal the evidence that SHXT possesses beneficial protection against MPTP-induced neurotoxicity in this model of Parkinson's disease via its antioxidative and antiapoptotic effects. SHXT might be a potentially alternative and complementary medicine for neuroprotection.
doi:10.1155/2012/501032 pmid:22474505 pmcid:PMC3303814 fatcat:dev3xsbnmnazvokjgoglnxugei