Parkinson's Disease-Herbs, Supplements

Herbs, Supplements for
Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is caused by the degeneration of dopaminergic
neurons of substantia nigra projecting to striatum. The degeneration is
believed to be related to mitochondrial malfunction, elevated oxidative
stress, apoptosis, excitotoxicity, and inflammation. [X1,X3]

Researchers from Peking University, China, reported the neuro-protective
effects of a chemical extracted from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F. This
chemical, or tripchloroide, promoted axonal elongation and protected
dopaminergic neurons from a neurotoxic lesion in a vitro study. In a study
of rats, administration of tripchlorolide for 28 days effectively attenuated
the D-amphetamine-challenged rotational behavior. In addition,
tripchlorolide treatment also increased the survival of dopaminergic
neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta. [1,2] In a separate study,
they found triptolide also protected dopaminergic neurons from
lipopolysoaccharide-induced injury. [3] Because of its protective effect on
dopaminergic neurons, researchers believe that it may have benefits in
Parkinson's disease.

Geng X and co-researchers at Peking University, China, observed that
echinacoside from Cistanches salsa improved the behavioral and
neurochemical outcomes in mice suffered from dopaminergic toxicity.
Mice suffered from 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)
induced dopaminergic toxicity are in general accepted as a model for
Parkinson's disease. When administered prior to MPTP, echinacoside
reduced behavioral deficits, increased striatal dopamine and dopamine
metabolite levels, reduced cell death. In addition, pre-treatment with
echinacoside also significantly reduced caspase-3 and caspase-8
activation in 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+))-induced apoptosis in
cerebellar granule neurons. [4]

In another study, Liu HQ and co-researchers from Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Shanghai, observed that paeoniflorin from Paeoniae alba Radix
reduced the MPTP-induced toxicity in mouse. [5] The researchers found
administration of paeoniflorin to the MPTP mouse for 11 days could
protect substantia nigra neurons and striatal nerve fibers from death and
bradykinesia. [5]

Zhu WW and co-researchers from SUN Yat-sen University, China, found
that a pre-treatment of reishi (Ganoderm lucidum) spore oil led to an
increased level dopamine and in MPTP mouse. Reishi spore oil treated
MPTP mouse also had more surviving TH-positive neurons in substantia
nigra pars compacta. [6]

Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix (or Blood Stasis in Traditional Chinese
Medicine) is an eminent herb in the treatment of cardiovascular disorder.
Koo BS with co-workers from DongGuk University, Korea, demonstrated
that Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix does not have a scavenging effect, but it
has an inhibitory effect on superoxide generation by microglias. They also
found that water extract of Salviae miltiorrhizae could significantly
increased K+-stimulated dopamine release from rat striatal slices. [7]

Baicalein, a major flavonoid extracted from a traditional Chinese herb
Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Huangqin), possesses potent
anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Researchers from National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NC, found that pretreatment
with baicalein concentration-dependently attenuated lipopolysaccharide
-induced decrease in [3H]dopamine uptake and loss of
TH-immunoreactive (TH-ir) neurons from E-14 rat embryos.
Lipopolysaccharide (LSP) is known to induce damage to dopaminergic
neurons. [8]

More about Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's Disease - Supplements
Parkinson's Disease - Herbs
Parkinson's Disease - Side Effects of Drugs
Parkinson's Disease - Symptoms

[1] Li FQ, et al, Neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects of tripchlorolide, an
extract of Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, on dopaminergic neurons.
Exp Neurol. 2003 Jan;179(1):28-37. [2] Cheng XX, et al, Protective effect of
tripchlorolide on dopaminergic neurons in partially lesioned rat model of
Parkinson's disease Yao Xue Xue Bao. 2002 May;37(5):339-42. [3] Li FQ, et al,
Triptolide, a Chinese herbal extract, protects dopaminergic neurons from
inflammation-mediated damage through inhibition of microglial activation. J
Neuroimmunol. 2004 Mar;148(1-2):24-31. [4] Geng X et al, Neuroprotective effects
of echinacoside in the mouse MPTP model of Parkinson's disease. Eur J
Pharmacol. 2007 Feb 16. [5] Liu HQ, et al, Paeoniflorin attenuates
neuroinflammation and dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the MPTP model of
Parkinson's disease by activation of adenosine A1 receptor. Br J Pharmacol. 2006
Jun;148(3):314-25. [6] Zhu WW, et al, Effect of the oil from ganoderma lucidum
spores on pathological changes in the substantia nigra and behaviors of
MPTP-treated mice Di Yi Jun Yi Da Xue Xue Bao. 2005 Jun;25(6):667-71 [7] Koo BS,
et al, Salviae miltiorrhizae radix inhibits superoxide generation by activated rat
microglias and mimics the action of amphetamine on in vitro rat striatal dopamine
release. Neurochem Res. 2004 Oct;29(10):1837-45. [8] Li FQ, et al, Inhibition of
microglial activation by the herbal flavonoid baicalein attenuates
inflammation-mediated degeneration of dopaminergic neurons. J Neural Transm.
2005 Mar;112(3):331-47. Epub 2004 Oct 22. [X1] Fernandez-Espejo E.
Pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease: prospects of neuroprotective and
restorative therapies. Mol Neurobiol. 2004 Feb;29(1):15-30. [X3] Bonuccelli U, Del
Dotto P. New pharmacologic horizons in the treatment of Parkinson disease.
Neurology. 2006 Oct 10;67(7 Suppl 2):S30-8.
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