Efeito protetor do extrato aquoso de luehea divaricata contra os danos oxidativos e comportamentais induzidos pelo ácido 3-nitropropiônico em ratos

Abstract

Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, autosomal dominant, characterized by progressive motor disorders, emotional disturbances, abnormal involuntary movements and dementia, which can be attributed to the death of striatal and cortical neurons. Although a etiology is not fully known, it has been suggested that oxidative stress contributes to the development of this condition. In this context, the 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), an inhibitor of the mitochondrial enzyme succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), have been used in animal models to develop the phenotypic characteristics observed in HD. In general, the effect of 3-NP associated with the same capacity to cause mitochondrial dysfunction and generating reactive species. In this scenario, the search for treatments that seek to neutralize the deleterious effects of reactive species are of great importance. Luehea divaricata (L. divaricata), popularly known in Brazil as “açoita cavalo” contain numerous polyphenols, which could act as neuroprotective agents in in vitro and in vivo neurodegenerative diseases. Given the above, this study sought to test the hypothesis that the aqueous extract of L. divaricata may exert antioxidant and neuroprotective effect front and behavioral changes induced by oxidative 3-NP in rats. These data demonstrate that the 3-NP induced the symptoms of HD, because changes in behavior caused evidenced by the decrease in locomotor activity in the Open Field and Rota Rod; and oxidative changes evidenced by increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation; reduction in the levels of reduced glutathione and acetylcholinesterase activity. The aqueous extract of L. divaricata was able to prevent the oxidative and behavioral changes induced by 3-NP treatment, suggesting the possible neuroprotective effect against 3-NP toxicity, which may be due to its antioxidant properties. Consequently, this plant could be used as a potential therapeutic for the prevention of HD-like simptoms.