NEUROPROTECTIVE POTENTIAL OF CRESCENTIA CUJETE AGAINST MPTP INDUCED NEUROTOXICITY IN PARKINSON’S RAT BRAIN

The aim of the present study was to evaluate neuroprotective effect of ethanolic extracts of Crescentia cujete (Bignoniaceae) in MPTP (1-methyl,4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) mouse model. Crescentia cujete leaves extracts was administered at different doses of 250 & 500 mg/kg b.wt (P.O) in different groups once a day for fourteen days and the first dose was given 30 min prior to first MPTP injection. Mice were sacrificed by decapitation and whole brain was analysed for Norepinephrine, Epinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, GABA, glutamate, Acetylcholinesterase and MAO-A and B levels. Ethanolic extract of C.cujete significantly (P<0.001) improved the brain neurochemical status like epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin and also improved the neuroexcitatory contents by increase in GABA and acetylcholinesterase levels and decrease in glutamate as compared to MPTP control group in a dose dependent manner, The increased level of MAO A and B were decreased significantly upon the administration of C.cujete. The results of the present study indicated that the ethanolic extract of Crescentia cujete leaves possess significant neuroprotection activity.