Assessment of Foeniculum Vulgare L. methanolic extract effect on a model of Parkinson's disease. induced by ICV injection of 6-hydroxydopamin in female rats, using behavioral tests

Oxidative stresses are involved in neuronal degeneration of substantia nigra and thereby induction of Parkinson's disease. It is reported that Foeniculum Vulgare L. can affect lactating and modulating dopaminergic system activity and antioxidant activity as well. In the present study, the effects of methanolic extract of Foeniculum Vulgare seeds on a Parkinson’s disease model induced by ICV injection of 6-hydroxydopamin (6-OHDA) in female rats were investigated.

In this experimental study, 60 female rats were randomly divided into 6 equal groups including saline, Parkinson’s disease and Parkinson’s groups which were treated by different doses of the extract. Parkinson’s disease was induced by i.c.v injection of 6-OHDA. Methanolic extract of Foeniculum Vulgare seeds (100 and 200 mg/kg) was gavaged through two ways including repeated gavage (14 days before and 14 days after 6-OHDA injection) and acute gavage (once every day for 14 days after 6-OHDA injection). The induced Parkinson`s disease. was evaluated using Rotarod and Wire grasping tests on the day 14th after 6-OHDA injection.

The findings of the study demonstrated that repeated gavage of Foeniculum Vulgare extract improved motility and muscle tone in Parkinson’s animals (Pp<0.05). However, acute gavage of the extract had no significant effect on the performance of Parkinson’s animals.

Results of the current study showed that chronic administration of Feoniculum Vulgare extract may improve Parkinson’s symptoms in female rats.