Neuroprotective effects of chrysin in a rat model of Parkinson's disease

Chrysin, or 5,7-dihydroxyflavone, is a flavonoid with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects, which are significant in Parkinson's disease. The objective of the study is to investigate the protective effects of chrysin in Parkinson's disease.

Wistar strain rats were divided into three groups: treatment (receiving chrysin before and after OHDA-6 injection), control (injected with 0.9% normal saline into the left striatum), and lesion (injected with 0.9% normal saline and OHDA-6 into the left striatum). Behavioral testing with apomorphine hydrochloride was conducted 1 week before and 4 weeks after surgery. For histological examination, black blocks of tissue were prepared, and Nissl staining was used for neuron counting. Microscopic studies were performed by capturing images of the slides.

In the behavioral test conducted after apomorphine injection and before surgery, there was no significant difference in the number of rotations among the control, lesion, and treatment groups. However, after surgery, this difference was significant between the lesion and treatment groups (P ≤ 0.05). In Nissl staining, a significant difference in the number of neurons in the substantia nigra was observed between the treatment and lesion groups.

According to the results obtained from this study, chrysin prevented the neurodegeneration caused by OHDA-6, leading to a lower rate of mortality in the neurons of the midbrain substantia nigra.