Cyclo-oxygenase and
lipoxygenase enzymes are involved in
arachidonic acid metabolism. Emerging evidence indicates that
cyclo-oxygenase and
lipoxygenase inhibitors prevent neurodegenerative processes and related complications. Therefore, the present study has been designed to explore the neuroprotective potential of
licofelone (dual COX-2/5-LOX inhibitor) against
quinolinic acid induced Huntington like symptom in rats. Intrastriatal administration of
quinolinic acid significantly caused reduction in
body weight and motor function (locomotor activity, rotarod performance and beam walk test), oxidative defense (as evidenced by increased lipid peroxidation,
nitrite concentration and decreased
endogenous antioxidant enzymes), alteration in mitochondrial
enzyme complex (I, II and IV) activities, raised TNF-α level and striatal lesion volume as compared to
sham treated animals.
Licofelone (2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg) treatment significantly improved
body weight, locomotor activity, rotarod performance, balance beam walk performance, oxidative defense, mitochondrial
enzyme complex activities and attenuated TNF-α level and striatal lesion as compared to control (
quinolinic acid). The present study highlights that
licofelone attenuates behavioral, biochemical and cellular alterations against
quinolinic acid induced neurotoxicity and this could be an important therapeutic avenue to ameliorate the Huntington like symptoms.