The protective mechanism of Verbascoside against inflammatory damage in a Parkinson's disease mouse model

XIA Huan; WANG Zi-hao; YANG Shan; LI Pei-shan; LUO Qin; YANG Xin-ling

doi:10.13820/j.cnki.gdyx.20250243

Abstract：Objective Exploring the anti-inflammatory protective effects of Verbascoside(VB)on a mouse model of Parkinson's Disease(PD).Methods A total of 27 male C57/BL mice were randomly divided into three groups:control,model,and experimental.PD was induced in the model and experimental groups by intraperitoneal injec-tion of 30 mg/kg MPTP.The experimental group additionally received 120 mg/kg VB by oral gavage.After successful modeling,the open field test and pole test were used to assess behavioral changes.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)and Nissl staining were performed to evaluate neuronal density in the substantia nigra.Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the proportion of TH-positive cells.Immunofluorescence staining was employed to detect fluorescence intensity of TH,IBa1,iNOS,and p-NF-κB P65 positive cells in the substantia nigra.Western blotting was used to detect protein expression levels of TH,IBa1,iNOS,and p-NF-κB P65.Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe mitochondrial morphology in dopaminergic neurons.HE staining was used to evaluate potential hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of VB.Results Compared with the model group,the total distance traveled and central zone distance in the open field test were significantly increased in the experimental group(P＜0.001;P=0.044),and the time to descend in the pole test was significantly reduced(P＜0.001).The experimental group showed significantly more HE-and Nissl-positive neurons in the substantia nigra than the model group(both P＜0.001).Immunohistochemistry showed a higher percentage of brown-stained TH-positive pixels in the experimental group(P＜0.001).Immunofluorescence analysis showed higher TH fluorescence intensity(P=0.010)and lower IBa1,iNOS,and p-NF-κB P65 fluorescence intensity in the experi-mental group compared with the model group(P=0.015,P=0.026,P=0.008,respectively).Western blotting con-firmed higher TH protein expression(P=0.028)and lower relative expression of IBa1,iNOS,and p-NF-κB P65 pro-teins in the experimental group(P=0.016,P=0.010,P=0.004,respectively).Mitochondrial swelling and cristae disruption were alleviated in the experimental group compared to the model group.No statistically significant differences were found in liver and kidney cell counts among the three groups(all P＞0.05).Conclusion VB may exert anti-in-flammatory and neuroprotective effects in PD mice by downregulating the expression of p-NF-κB P65 protein and inhibi-ting NF-κB pathway activation.The dosage used appears to be safe and well-tolerated.