Rotenone, a potent specific inhibitor of mitochondrial complex-1, appears to reproduce the behavioral features of
Parkinson's disease in rats. It destroys dopaminergic neurons selectively, causing deficiency of
dopamine in striatum which leads to impaired motor functions. Oxidative stress generated as a result of
mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolism of
dopamine has been implicated as an important factor in the etiology of
Parkinson's disease. Present study explores the potential of
centrophenoxine (a well known anti-aging and
antioxidant drug) against
rotenone induced motor dysfunction. Sprague Dawley male rats were administered with
rotenone on a daily basis by
subcutaneous injection of dose: 2 mg/kg
body weight over a period of 35 days. Data showed impaired motor function, significant increase in
catalepsy, decrease in locomotor activity and decrease in muscle activity.
Dopamine content of
rotenone treated animals was found to decrease significantly and lipid peroxidation was found to increase significantly in
rotenone treated animals when compared with co-treated group. Co-treatment with
centrophenoxine (100 mg/kg i.p. for 35 days) significantly attenuated the extent of motor dysfunction and changes in the level of
dopamine and lipid peroxidation induced by
rotenone toxicity. Thus, the present study provides evidence that
centrophenoxine co-treatment attenuates
rotenone induced motor dysfunction by virtue of its
antioxidant action.