Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Malva Sylvestris L. on the Histological Structure of the Brain in a Mice Model of Parkinson's Disease

inflammation, oxidative stress, and reduction of cell antioxidant activity are among the most important causes of Parkinson's disease. In traditional medicine, Malva sylvestris L (M. sylvestris) is known as an immune system enhancer and anti-inflammatory compound. In this study, the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of M. sylvestris on the histological alterations of the mice brain of an experimental model of Parkinson's disease was investigated.

In the present study, 40 mice were divided into four groups: negative control (recipient of normal saline), drug control (recipient of hydroalcoholic extract of M. sylvestris at a dose of 200 mg/kg), positive control (induced parkinsonism by injection of neurotoxin MPTP at a dose of 25 mg/kg with 24-hour intervals for 4 consecutive days), and finally the treatment group (induced parkinsonism along with a daily intraperitoneal injection of hydroalcoholic extract of M. sylvestris at a dose of 200 mg per kg for 28 days). At the end of the treatment the brain samples were taken, fixed in 4% buffered formalin solution, entered the stages of tissue passage and slices with a thickness of 12 micrometers were prepared. Slices were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and evaluated with tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemical staining.

The results showed that the number of cell bodies of neurons and astrocytes in the dense part of the substantia nigra significantly decreased in the treatment group compared to the negative control group However, the number of microglial cells significantly increased in this brain region. This was despite the fact that in the treatment group, all the investigated parameters were similar to the negative control group, and no statistically significant difference was observed.

It seems that the use of M. sylvestris can play an effective role in reducing the histological changes in the brain of an experimental Parkinson's disease model.