Gene expression regulation of Bcl2, Bax and cytochrome-C by geraniol on chronic MPTP/probenecid induced C57BL/6 mice model of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common disabling movement disorder owing to progressive depletion of dopamine in nigrostriatal region, and can be experimentally accelerated by the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). MPTP-treated mice are a representative animal model for searching for the therapeutic agents for PD without adverse effect. In this study we investigated the effect of geraniol (GE) on chronic MPTP/probenecid (MPTP/p) induced apoptotic changes in nigrostriatal region. We observed that chronic exposure to MPTP/p led to increased expression of apoptotic markers, results in neurodegeneration and motor behavioral impairments in mice. Pretreatment with GE to MPTP/p significantly improved motor functions and ameliorated striatal antioxidant balance. In addition, GE attenuated the expression of apoptotic markers evident by the normalized Bcl-2/Bax ratio and decreased expression of cytochrome-C and caspase-9 in the substantia nigra and striatum of MPTP/p induced mice model of PD. The findings of the present study suggested that GE, a new therapeutic potential avenue may have beneficial effects in slowing or preventing the progression of PD and other neurodegenerative disorders.