Modulatory effects of resveratrol on endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated apoptosis and oxido-inflammatory markers in a rat model of rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease

• Resveratrol downregulated ER stress markers (CHOP and GRP78) genes expression.
• It hampered caspase-3 activity in the striatum of rotenone-intoxicated rat.
• It is capable of restoring the redox balance as judged by the drop of XO activity and protein carbonyls formation.
• It activated intracellular antioxidants as glutathione peroxidase and Nrf2 signaling pathway.
• It has anti-inflammatory effect by decreasing IL-1β levels in rat brains.

The mechanisms leading to neuronal death in Parkinson's disease (PD) are not fully elucidated; however, mounting evidence implicates endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, oxidative damage, and inflammatory changes are the crucial factors in its pathogenesis. This study was undertaken to investigate the modulatory effects of resveratrol on ER stress-mediated apoptosis, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in a rat model of rotenone-induced PD. mRNA expression levels of ER stress markers; C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), were estimated in the rat brain using quantitative real-time PCR. Caspase-3 activity, IL-1β levels and Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) DNA-binding activity were estimated by ELISA, while glutathione peroxidase and Xanthine oxidase activities, as well as protein carbonyl contents in the rat brain were evaluated spectrophotometrically. Our data revealed that Resveratrol ameliorated rotenone-induced ER stress by downregulating CHOP and GRP78 genes expression and hampered caspase-3 activity in the brain of rotenone exposed rats. It also restored redox balance as evident by suppressing Xanthine oxidase activity and protein carbonyls formation; in addition to preservation of intracellular antioxidants status via activating glutathione peroxidase and Nrf2 signaling pathway. In conclusion; our study launched promising avenues for the potential use of resveratrol as a neuroprotective therapeutic agent in Parkinson's disease.