Parkinsonâ??s disease (PD), a multifactorial movement disorder that involves progressive\ndegeneration of the nigrostriatal system affecting the movement ability of the patient. Oxidative\nstress and neuroinflammation both are shown to be involved in the etiopathogenesis of PD.\nThe aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of thymol, a dietary monoterpene\nphenol in rotenone (ROT)-induced neurodegeneration in rats that precisely mimics PD in humans.\nMale Wistar rats were injected ROT at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg body weight for 4 weeks, to induce\nPD. Thymol was co-administered for 4 weeks at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight, 30 min prior to\nROT injection. The markers of dopaminergic neurodegeneration, oxidative stress and inflammation\nwere estimated using biochemical assays, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting and\nimmunocytochemistry. ROT challenge increased the oxidative stress markers, inflammatory enzymes\nand cytokines as well as caused significant damage to nigrostriatal dopaminergic system of the brain.\nThymol treatment in ROT challenged rats appears to significantly attenuate dopaminergic neuronal\nloss, oxidative stress and inflammation. The present study showed protective effects of thymol\nin ROT-induced neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration mediated by preservation of endogenous\nantioxidant defense networks and attenuation of inflammatory mediators including cytokines\nand enzymes.
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