Osthole Exerts Neuroprotection in a Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Osthole is a bioactive coumarin derivative isolated from Cnidium monnieri (L.) cusson that has been shown to exhibit neuroprotective effects in several in vitro and in vivo studies. Herein, we have investigated the potential neuroprotective effect of osthole in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine-induced mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. Results of our studies show that osthole attenuates behavioral deficits, reverses dopamine and its metabolites, dopaminergic neuron damage, and promotes activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway in MPTP-treated mice. In conclusion, the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway may be responsible for the protective effects of osthole in the mouse model of Parkinson’s disease.