NEUROPROTECTIVE POTENTIAL OF ETHANOLIC ASHWAGANDHA ROOT EXTRACT, DOXYCYCLINE AND ELLAGIC ACID AGAINST ROTENONE INDUCED PARKINSON’S DISEASE: A IN-VIVO MODEL STUDY

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most prevalent type of neurodegenerative disorder and is a chronic, progressive condition. In the current investigation, we used a rotenone (ROT)-developing rat model of PD to assess the neuroprotective efficacy of ethanolic Withania somnifera root extract (EWSR) in comparison to the known neuroprotectants i.e., Doxycycline (Doxy), and ellagic acid (EA) individually and in combination (EWSR-Doxy-EA). Male Wistar rats were given ROT at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg body weight daily for 4 weeks to develop a PD in-vivo model. Once the PD model is confirmed, the rats were treated with individual neuroprotectants for next 5 weeks and kept under observation for next 7 days for reversal of PD. ROT administration has altered behavioural parameters (Cognitive, motor dysfunction, sniffing, grooming, raring, crossing, etc.) and neurotransmitter profile (Acetylcholine, epinephrine, nor-epinephrine, dopamine, glutamate and aspartate) in rats. The administration of neuroprotectants has ameliorated the deleterious effects of rotenone and restored cognitive and motor control by rectifying the levels of neurotransmitters which are responsible for the functions. EWSR protective efficacy was significantly better to that of the known neuroprotectants (Doxy and EA) and EWSR efficacy increased significantly when combined with the other neuroprotectants. Based on the study observations, it can be inferred that EWSR is a good neuroprotective agent and can act as a potential alternative therapeutic approach individually or in combination with known drugs in treating PD and other neurodegenerative diseases.