Melatonin enhances L-DOPA therapeutic effects, helps to reduce its dose, and protects dopaminergic neurons in 1-methyl-4- phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced parkinsonism in mice

L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) reduces symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD), but suffers from serious side effects on long-term use. Melatonin (10–30 mg/kg, 6 doses at 10 hr intervals) was investigated to potentiate L-DOPA therapeutic effects in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6- tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced parkinsonism in mice. Striatal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity, TH, and phosphorylated ser 40 TH (p-TH) protein levels were assayed on 7th day. Nigral TH-positive neurons stereology was conducted on serial sections 2.8 mm from bregma rostrally to 3.74 mm caudally. MPTP caused 39% and 58% decrease, respectively, in striatal fibers and TH protein levels, but 2.5-fold increase in p-TH levels. About 35% TH neurons were lost between 360 and 600 lm from 940 lm of the entire nigra analyzed, but no neurons were lost between 250 lm rostrally and 220 lm caudally. When L-DOPA in small doses (5–8 mg/kg) failed to affect MPTPinduced akinesia or catalepsy, co-administration of melatonin with L-DOPA attenuated these behaviors. Melatonin administration significantly attenuated MPTP-induced loss in striatal TH fibers (82%), TH (62%) and p-TH protein (100%) levels, and nigral neurons (87–100%). Melatonin failed to attenuate MPTP-induced striatal dopamine depletion. L-DOPA administration (5 mg/kg, once 40 min prior to sacrifice, p.o.) in MPTP- and melatonin-treated mice caused significant increase in striatal dopamine (31%), as compared to L-DOPA and MPTP-treated mice. This was equivalent to 8 mg/kg L-DOPA administration in parkinsonian mouse. Therefore, prolonged, effective use of L-DOPA in PD with lesser side effects could be achieved by treating with 60% lower doses of L-DOPA along with melatonin

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Not AvailableThe fatty acid composition of two sea weeds viz, Sargassum wightii and Amphiroa anceps were evaluated using a Gas Chromatograph. Upon analysis it was found that Sargassum wightii (Phaeophytae) had the highest amount of Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) while Amphiroa anceps (Rhodophytae) showed comparatively greater amount of saturated fatty acid. Among the various other fatty acids, both the algal species showed significantly higher proportions of Myristic acid, Stearic acid, alpha-linoliec acid, Palmitaleic acid, Arachidonic acid and oleic acids. Sargassum wightii showed comparatively larger amount of omega 3, 6 and 9 classes of fatty acids than Amphirova anceps. Both the species showed comparatively moderate amount of monounsaturated fatty acids.Not Availabl