Lauric acid: Its role in behavioral modulation, neuro-inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in haloperidol induced Parkinson's disease

The study was designed to investigate the neuro-protection of lauric acid (LA) on haloperidol (HPD) induced Parkinson's disease (PkD) rat model. Rats were divided into group A (normal), group B (diseased, by HPD 1mg/kg i.p. for 14 days), group C (standard treatment, levodopa 30 mg/kg), group D (vehicle coconut oil 1ml/kg), group E (LA 0.66mg/kg) and group F (LA 1.32mg/kg) for 35 days after induction of PkD. The study displayed a state of oxidative stress in the striatum of rat model of PkD as shown from the increased MDA, NO levels and the decreased superoxide dismutase levels. HPD caused an increase in tumor necrosis factor-α level, NF-κB, IL-8 mRNA expression and suppress IL-4 expression. Neuro-protection with LA attenuated the oxidative stress and changes in pro-inflammatory cytokines induced due to PkD induction. The LA treatment also showed improvement in the histo-pathology of the rats' brain. LA also improved behavioral performances, food intake, weight gain as compared to animal of diseased group and prevented decline in motor activities (assessed Rotarod, and Beam walking test). LA showed significant neuro-protection against oxidative stress, inflammatory cytokines and behavioral changes in HPD induced rat model of PkD.