Neuroprotective Potential of Silymarin against Rotenone induced motor deficits in Wistar Rats

Background Parkinson’s disease is a hypokinetic disorder characterized by selective loss of dopaminergic in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNPc) region of mid‐brain. Dopaminergic degeneration of neurons is considered to be due to oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, neurons mitochondrial dysfunction and glutamate excitotoxicity etc. Silymarin was selected as an investigational drug, due to its numerous activities in current research, it possesses substantial antioxidant and neuroprotective functionalities and it has been reported to produce anti‐oxidant, anti‐inflammatory and neuromodulatory actions in previous studies. Method In the current study we have investigated the role of Silymarin against rotenone induced motor deficit and biochemical abnormalities in Wistar rats. Rats were treated with 1.5mg/kg rotenone subcutaneously for 35 days. Silymarin (50,100 and 200 mg/kg i.p.) was administered after 30 minutes of rotenone administration from day 7th to 35th day. Rotenone caused significant reduction in motor functions and body weight and produced elevation in striatal oxidative burden. Result The biochemical analysis revealed that there is reduction in the level of anti‐oxidants (GSH, Catalase, and SOD) in the animals following rotenone administration. Whereas Silymarin treated rats were stable and regained their body weight. In addition Silymarin significantly attenuated rotenone induced motor deficit and striatal oxidative stress Conclusion Outcomes of the current study suggest neuroprotective potential of Silymarin and its ability to correct movement disability and thus could prove to be useful candidate molecule in the management of motor disorders.