Efficacy of Hypericum perforatum extract on ultrastructural changes in brain and oxidative damage in Parkinson’s disease

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a serious chronic and progressive neurological disorder. Hypericum perforatum (H. perforatum) is a plant generally used as an antidepressant and therapy for many neurodegenerative disorders. The present study evaluates the action of Hypericum perforatum extract on MPTP induced oxidative stress and ultrastructural changes in the Parkinson disease model. For this research study, Parkinson disease in mice were induced using MPTP and Hypericum perforatum methanolic extract were given in the pre- treatment and post-treatment condition. After the treatment, the oxidative stress was measured using TBARS levels and the activities of GSH, GPx, CAT and SOD in brain tissues. The ultrastructural changes in brain mitochondria caused by MPTP toxicity was studied after Hypericum perforatum extract therapy using TEM images. The present study showed that HPE extract is able  to balance the oxidative stress and antioxidants in the brain tissue of MPTP administered rats. The damaged nuclei in the brain recovered to the normal condition due to this extract therapy. Finally, to conclude, Hypericum perforatum extract post-treatment offers potential brain protection against MPTP induced Parkinson’s disease than pre-treatment.