A promising therapeutic potential of cerebrolysin in 6-OHDA rat model of Parkinson's disease.

AIMS: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease affecting the population. The present study investigates the potential therapeutic effect of cerebrolysin (CBL), as a neurotrophic factor mimic, on the behavioral and biochemical alterations induced in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) - lesioned rats as a model of PD.

MAIN METHODS: The animals were divided into 3 experimental groups; control group, Parkinsonian model group through bilateral microinjection of 6-OHDA into substantia nigra (SN) and CBL-treated group which received a daily intraperitoneal administration of CBL (2.5ml/kg) initiated 24h after induction of Parkinsonism for 21days.

KEY FINDINGS: Treatment of Parkinsonian animals with CBL succeeded in restoring the midbrain and striatum dopamine levels. In addition, it normalized the increased MDA and NO levels recorded in the Parkinsonian animals and replenished the decreased level of midbrain GSH. In addition to the recorded recovery of the biochemical parameters, there was a parallel improvement in the animal's behavioral aspects.

SIGNIFICANCE: The findings of the present study provide evidence for the promising therapeutic effect of CBL in the present 6-OHDA rat model of PD through counteracting oxidative stress, replenishing dopamine content and enhancing behavioral outcomes.