Azadirachta indica has previously been demonstrated to act as a multi‑functional medicinal plant for >2,000 years in India, and its neighboring countries. Currently, it is considered a natural resource with great value used in industrial product development and as a medicine for various types of diseases. The present study investigated the
neuroprotective effects of Azadirachta indica which improved functional recovery in the 6‑hydroxydopamine induced rat
Parkinson's disease (PD) model.
Catalase, glutathione‑peroxidase,
tumor necrosis factor‑α,
interleukin (IL)‑1β, IL‑6, nuclear factor (NF)‑κB p65,
inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and AChE activity levels were analyzed via ELISA. Western blotting was used to analyze B cell lymphoma‑2 associated X
protein (Bax),
cytochrome c and p53
protein expression. Treatment with Azadirachta indica significantly decreased the PD‑induced rotational behavior in rats. PD‑induced
catalase, glutathione‑peroxidase, iNOS activity and iNOS
protein expression were significantly suppressed by treatment with Azadirachta indica. Inflammatory factors,
acetylcholinesterase activity and cyclo‑oxygenase‑2
protein expression levels were additionally significantly suppressed by treatment with Azadirachta indica. The
protein expression levels of Bax,
cytochrome c and p53 were decreased and caspase‑3 and caspase‑9 activities diminished, with treatment with Azadirachta indica. Therefore, Azadirachta indica was demonstrated to exhibit neuroprotective antioxidative and anti‑apoptotic effects in
Parkinson's disease.