Neuroprotective effects of voluntary exercise and hydroalcoholic extraction of Eriobotrya Japonica on dopamine and tyrosine hydroxylase in the striatum of parkinsonian rats

In this study، we investigated the effects of 12 weeks of voluntary exercise on a running wheel and extraction of plant flowers Eriobotrya Japonica on dopamine and tyrosine hydroxylase in the striatum of Parkinsonian rats. Twenty four rats were divided into three groups: control، Parkinson and Parkinson + training and extract. To induce Parkinson، 250 mg/kg of 6-hydroxy dopamine (6-OHDA) (dissolved in saline) was administered into intracerebrovenricular by a stereotaxic apparatus. Training-extract group were housed in individual cages with attached running wheels and during study period received 200 mg/kg extract intraperitoneally three times per week. Tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine levels in the striatum were measured by ELISA. Voluntary wheel running and extract significantly prevent the decrease of dopamine levels in Parkinsonian rats (P = 0. 001)، but tyrosine hydroxylase level did not change in training-extract group. Our findings show that pre-treatment with voluntary exercise and hydroalcoholic extractions of Eriobotrya Japonica have a protective role against 6-OHDA induced toxicity