Effects of a crude extract of Echinops mosulensis on an induced Parkinson’s disease model in mice

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most widespread chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease. Key mechanisms contributing to PD development are oxidative stress, inflammation, protein misfolding and aggregation, apoptotic cell death, excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and loss of trophic support. We aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of a crude extract of Iraqi Echinops mosulensis on an induced PD model in mice. Forty male Swiss Albino mice were divided into four groups of ten mice; the negative control received distilled water orally, and the induction group received 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) (30 mg/kg/day) intraperitoneally (IP). The positive control group was administered pramipexole orally (1 mg/kg/day), and the final group received a crude extract of E. mosulensis orally (250 mg/kg/day). The experimental phase lasted for 25 days for all studied groups. On day 26, the behavior test was done, and on day 27, all animals were sacrificed. Homogenized brain tissue was prepared for analysis. Treatment with crude extract significantly reduced MDA, IL-6, IL-1 beta, caspase 3, cytochrome C, and alpha-synuclein levels compared to the induction group, while dopamine (DA) significantly increased. In addition, the catalepsy test was significantly reduced in the E. mosulensis group compared to the induction group. In conclusion, the crude extract of E. mosulensis exerts neuroprotective effects through multiple mechanisms, and it offers opportunities for developing a novel therapeutic method for treating PD.