Effect of edaravone on tyrosine hydroxylase and caspase-3 in the substantia nigra of the Parkinson's disease mouse model

Objective To investigate the protective effect of edaravone on nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease(PD) mice induced by paraquat(PQ) and maneb(MN).Methods 30 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the model group,the edaravone-treated group and the normal control group.After the PD mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of PQ and MN,mice in the edaravone-treated group were intraperitoneal administrated edaravone for 2 weeks.Motor coordination was detected by using the behavioral method,and expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) and caspase-3 in SNc by immunohistochemistry.Results Administration of edaravone significantly attenuated the impairment of behavioral performance,increased the number of TH-positive neurons,and decreased expression of caspase-3 in SNc.Conclusion Edaravone can improve the motor coordination of PD mice,increase the number of TH-positive neurons,and decrease expression of caspase-3.It has beneficial influence on neurons in PD mice.