Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the world. Natural products can offer a possible option of neuroprotective agents for preventing neurodegenerative diseases. D-Pinitol is a cyclic polyol with anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in acute assays. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of D-Pinitol (10, 50, and 100 mg/kg p.o.) in a chronic reserpine-induced depression model (19 days), using the forced swimming and tail suspension tests in female Balb/c mice, and the neuroprotective effects in an MPTP-induced Parkinsonism model (30 days) in male C57bL/6 mice, using behavioral tests such as wire grip, rotarod, catalepsy, and others. D-Pinitol showed low antidepressant-like effects in the reserpine-induced chronic depression model, compared to amitriptyline (25 mg/kg p.o.). D-Pinitol protected MPTP-treated mice from motor impairment with similar effects to those shown by L-Dopa (25 mg/kg p.o.) as evaluated in different behavioral tests. The inhibition of oxidative stress markers, increase in dopamine levels, and avoidance of apoptosis in neuronal cells were the mechanisms by which D-Pinitol protects MPTP-treated mice from motor impairment.

Background: The plant-derived compound n-butylidenephthalide (BP) is an isobenzofuranone that has shown neuropharmacological effects on preclinical models of Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Methods: This study evaluated the anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, anxiolytic-like, hypnotic, anticonvulsant, and antidepressant-like effects of BP (50–200 mg/kg p.o.) using Balb/c mice in acute assays. This study also evaluated the antidepressant-like effects of BP in a mouse model of reserpine-induced depression-like behavior for 20 days. Inhibitors involved in the molecular process of depression and in silico studies were used to evaluate a possible mechanism of action for the antidepressant-like effects of BP. Results: BP induced low anti-inflammatory effects, showed low anticonvulsant effects, and lacked hypnotic effects or motor impairment in acute assays. The antidepressant-like effects of BP (100–200 mg/kg p.o.) were comparable to amitriptyline (25 mg/kg p.o.) in acute assays. The participation of serotonergic and adrenergic systems is involved in the acute antidepressant-like effects of BP. In the reserpine-induced depression model, BP (100 mg/kg p.o.) showed antidepressant-like effects in one of the two antidepressant tests, but with a lower effect than amitriptyline (20 mg/kg p.o.). Conclusions: BP (100 and 200 mg/kg) showed antidepressant-like effects in acute assays and, to a lesser extent, in a reserpine-induced chronic model of depression-like behavior.

El dolor es un síntoma frecuente que puede ser acompañado en algunos casos con inflamación, se origina con un estímulo nocivo y causa una reacción inmediata de alarma. Para su tratamiento se utilizan antiinflamatorios no esteroideos (AINEs) y opioides, sin embargo, estos compuestos pueden originar efectos colaterales. Por tal motivo es importante continuar buscando moléculas que pudieran tener efecto analgésico y/o antiinflamatorio igual o mejor que los fármacos que se utilizan actualmente, pero con menores efectos colaterales. Las plantas medicinales, frutos y moléculas extraídos de plantas o frutas presentan propiedades antiinflamatorias y analgésicas. Con este planteamiento, el objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar el efecto antinociceptivo de un flavonoide Rutina de manera individual y en combinación de Ibuprofeno, además de la elaboración de comprimidos de la combinación. Para ello se empleó la prueba de formalina como modelo de inducción de nocicepción. Se seleccionaron grupos de ratones, que fueron tratados previamente con diferentes dosis de Rutina e Ibuprofeno para obtener la dosis efectiva 50 (DE50) de manera individual y en combinación. Posteriormente, se realizaron comprimidos de la combinación entre Rutina e Ibuprofeno y se realizó las pruebas de control de calidad de producto terminado.