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Neuroprotective Effects of β-Asarone Against 6-Hydroxy Dopamine-Induced Parkinsonism via JNK/Bcl-2/Beclin-1 Pathway

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Abstract

β-asarone, a major component of Acorus tatarinowii Schott, has positive effects in neurodegeneration disease, however, its effect on the Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains unclear. In this study, the effects of β-asarone on behavioral tests, neurotransmitters, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and α-synuclein (α-syn) were investigated in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) induced rats. Furthermore, the JNK/Bcl-2/Beclin-1 autophagy pathway was also studied. The results showed that β-asarone improved the behavioral symptoms of rats in the open field, rotarod test, initiation time, and stepping time. And it increased the HVA, Dopacl, and 5-HIAA levels in striatum but not the DA and 5-HT levels. After administration of β-asarone, the TH level was elevated but the α-syn was declined in rats. It inhibited the expressions of LC3-II, but increased the p62 expression in SN4741 cells. Moreover, it affected the expressions of Beclin-1, Bcl-2, JNK, and p-JNK in vivo. We deduced that β-asarone may firstly downregulate expressions of JNK and p-JNK, and then indirectly increase the expression of Bcl-2. And the function of Beclin-1 could be inhibited, which could inhibit autophagy activation. Collectively, all data indicated that β-asarone may be explored as a potential therapeutic agent in PD therapy.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Guangdong Natural Science Foundation of China (No. S2012010010625) and the First Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine Excellent Doctoral Dissertation Cultivation Project (No. 201301).

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The authors do not have any conflict of interest.

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  1. The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, China

    Sheng Zhang, Xue-Hong Gui, Li-Ping Huang, Min-Zhen Deng, Ruo-Ming Fang, Xue-Hong Ke, Yu-Ping He, Ling Li & Yong-Qi Fang

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  1. Sheng Zhang
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Zhang, S., Gui, XH., Huang, LP. et al. Neuroprotective Effects of β-Asarone Against 6-Hydroxy Dopamine-Induced Parkinsonism via JNK/Bcl-2/Beclin-1 Pathway. Mol Neurobiol 53, 83–94 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-014-8950-z

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