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Parkinson’s disease is increasingly prevalent among the elderly. This study aimed to explore the potential of Zinda Tilismath, a traditional Unani medicine, in mitigating Parkinson's disease symptoms.
Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to evaluate the effectiveness of Zinda Tilismath in paraquat-induced Parkinsonism. The rats were divided into six groups: a negative control group, a positive control group, a group treated with the standard drug Selegiline, and three groups receiving different doses of Zinda Tilismath (high, medium, and low). To assess motor function and locomotion, the rats were subjected to behavioral tests, including the Rotarod, Actophotometer, and bar tests. Additionally, biochemical analyses measured dopamine levels and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, while histopathological examinations were performed to substantiate neuroprotective effects. The study also included in silico docking analyses to explore the interactions between the active components of Zinda Tilismath and the proteins MAO-B and PINK1 which are implicated in Parkinson's disease.
Docking studies revealed significant binding affinities of Zinda Tilismath components such as camphor (Binding energy kcal/mol -6.9, -5.9), L-limonene (-6.8, -5.9), Tetradecane (-5.9, -4.4) Decane (-5.2, -3.8), Isoborneol (-6.4, -6.3), Alpha pinene (-6.6, -6.2) with MAO-B and PINK1 genes, indicating potential therapeutic effects. Acute toxicity studies showed no adverse effects at 2000 mg/kg, establishing the safety of Zinda Tilismath. In vivo studies demonstrated that Zinda Tilismath at mid-dose improved motor function and locomotion in the Rotarod (105.0 ± 3.60s), Actophotometer (261 ± 21.33) and Bar test (15.67 ± 0.88) where lower dose also displayed an improved motor and locomotion in the Rotarod (98.00 ± 2.30), Actophotometer (231 ± 19.06) and Bar test (12.33 ± 1.20) in comparison to Positive control [Rotarod (28.00 ± 49.2), Actophotometer (88.67 ± 17.42), Bartest (2.33 ± 0.33)]. The results of the test drug are comparable to the standard drug Selegiline. Biochemical assays confirmed increased dopamine levels with Zinda Tilismath as compared to disease-induced group and reduced AChE activity as compared to positive control. Histopathological analysis indicated neuroprotective effects in the substantia nigra region of the brain.
Zinda Tilismath exhibits promising neuroprotective effects in a paraquat-induced Parkinsonism model, comparable to Selegiline. These findings suggest its potential as a safe and effective alternative treatment for Parkinson's disease, warranting further investigation. Zinda Tilismath exhibits possible neuroprotective advantages, however, certain limitations must be acknowledged. This encompasses dependence on in silico docking studies lacking experimental validation, insufficient exploration of long-term toxicity, and unclear modes of action. Furthermore, obstacles in applying findings to clinical settings, like interspecies variations and pharmacokinetics, must be addressed. Comprehensive research is vital to determine its effectiveness, safety, and therapeutic potential.