The Neuroprotective Effect of Xanthone and 6-Hydroxyflavone in the Model of Parkinson's Disease Induced by 6-Hydroxydopamine in Laboratory Mice: Behavioral Evaluations

Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation play a role in Parkinson's disease. Antioxidants and anti-inflammatories such as polyphenol compounds and flavonoids inhibit neuronal death. The aim of the present study is the effect of xanthone and 6-hydroxyflavone in Parkinson's disease in laboratory mice. Animals are cannulated by stereotaxic surgery and unilateral injection of 6-hydroxy-dopamine is performed in the dense area of ​​the substantia nigra (SNc) of the brain. Xanthone and 6-hydroxyflavone were injected intraperitoneally. Three weeks after surgery, movement evaluations and pseudo-anxiety and pseudo-depression behaviors were performed. Counting of all the neurons in the dense area of ​​the substantia nigra was done. Injection of 6-hydroxydopamine increased the number of apomorphine rotations. Catalysis time increased. Neurons in the substantia nigra decreased. 6-Hydroxyflavone (50 and 100 mg/kg) and xanthone (100 and 200 mg/kg) reduced vertigo and catalepsy. In the elevated plus shape maze test, 6-hydroxyflavone in doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg and xanthone in doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg increased motor activity. In the forced swimming test, xanthone in doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg reduced immobility in parkinsonian rats. The number of substantia nigra neurons increased with the treatment of 6-hydroxyflavone in doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg xanthone. Xanthone and 6-hydroxyflavone improved movement disorder and catalepsy and increased the number of nerve cells in the substantia nigra. Xanthon was able to reduce depression. Probably, part of these central protective effects are mediated by the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of xanthone and 6-hydroxyflavone, which prevent cell death by reducing free radicals and inflammatory cytokines, and as a result, they improve cognitive and movement disorders.