Abstract:
Background: Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is one of the major neurodegenerative
disorders, and oxidative stress has been implicated in playing an important role in
the pathogenesis of the disease. Zincum metallicum, produces symptoms mentioned
in Homoeopathic Materia Medica which are akin to PD on which basis it might be
considered as one at the intermediate to treat the disease.
Materials and Methods: Rats were divided into eight groups; surgery was
done by stereotaxic apparatus. 6‑hydroxydopamine was used to induce
parkinsonism thereafter on 16th day of lesioning animals were assessed
by the video path analyzer. Animals were sacrificed and biochemical
assays (Lipid peroxidation [LPO], glutathione [GSH], glutathione peroxide
[GPx], glutathione reductase [GR], glutathione‑S-transferase [GST]) and level of
dopamine (DA), 3,4‑dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), and homovanillic acid
(HVA), were estimated. Further dopaminergic D2 receptor binding was also done
to confirm the induced parkinsonism.
Results: The behavior activities (locomotor, distance travel, stereroevent) were
decreased whereas the rest time was increased in lesion group animals as
compared to the sham group. The locomotor activity and the distance traveled
were protected significantly with 6C whereas rest time was protected significantly
with 30C and 200C of Homoeopathic medicine Zincum metallicum. On the other
hand, S + 30C and S + 200C groups have shown increased locomotor activities
as compared to S group. The rest time was also increased significantly in S + 6C
and S + 30C group animals as compared to S group. The elevated level of LPO
and DA D2 receptor binding density in PD group was protected significantly with Zincum metallicum (6C, 30C, and 200C). The depleted level of GSH and activity of antioxidant enzymes (GPx, GR, and GST) and DA and its metabolites DOPAC and HVA were protected significantly with Zincum metallicum (6C, 30C, and 200C).
Conclusion: The study indicates the Zincum metallicum may be helpful in slowing down injury in parkinsonism
and could be a beneficial drug for the prevention of PD.
