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Anti-Inflammatory and Neuroprotective Effects of Morin in an MPTP-Induced Parkinson's Disease Model
Dong Geun Hong1, Seulah Lee1,2, Jaehoon Kim1
1Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea.
Abstract:
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD) are known to be related to oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, and thus, modulating neuroinflammation offers a possible means of treating PD-associated pathologies. Morin (2',3,4',5,7-pentahydroxy flavone) is a flavonol with anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects found in wines, herbs, and fruits. The present study was undertaken to determine whether a morin-containing diet has protective effects in an MPTP-induced mouse model of PD. Mice were fed a control or morin diet for 34 days, and then MPTP (30 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered daily for 5 days to induce a PD-like pathology. We found that dietary morin prevented MPTP-induced motor dysfunction and ameliorated dopaminergic neuronal damage in striatum (STR) and substantia nigra (SN) in our mouse model. Furthermore, MPTP-induced neuroinflammation was significantly reduced in mice fed morin. In vitro studies showed that morin effectively suppressed glial activations in primary microglia and astrocytes, and biochemical analysis and a docking simulation indicated that the anti-inflammatory effects of morin were mediated by blocking the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-p65 pathway. These findings suggest that morin effectively inhibits glial activations and has potential use as a functional food ingredient with therapeutic potential for the treatment of PD and other neurodegenerative diseases associated with neuroinflammation.
Insights
Morin, a natural compound, protected against Parkinson's disease symptoms in a mouse model by reducing neuroinflammation and protecting brain cells. This suggests morin's potential as a functional food for neurodegenerative diseases.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease (PD) are linked to oxidative stress and neuroinflammation.
- Modulating neuroinflammation presents a potential therapeutic strategy for PD.
- Morin, a flavonol found in fruits and herbs, exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of a morin-containing diet in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease.
- To determine if morin can ameliorate MPTP-induced neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation.
Main Methods:
- Mice were fed either a control or morin diet for 34 days.
- Parkinson's disease-like pathology was induced using MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine).
- Motor function, dopaminergic neuronal damage, and neuroinflammation markers were assessed. In vitro studies examined morin's effect on glial activation and the ERK-p65 pathway.
Main Results:
- Dietary morin administration prevented MPTP-induced motor deficits in mice.
- Morin significantly reduced dopaminergic neuronal loss in the striatum and substantia nigra.
- MPTP-induced neuroinflammation was significantly attenuated in mice consuming morin.
- In vitro, morin suppressed glial activation and blocked the ERK-p65 pathway, indicating its anti-inflammatory mechanism.
Conclusions:
- Morin demonstrates neuroprotective effects in an MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease mouse model.
- Morin effectively inhibits glial activation, likely by modulating the ERK-p65 pathway.
- Morin holds potential as a functional food ingredient for managing neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease and related disorders.
