"Potential Protective Effects of Phytoestrogen(s) Against Experimentally-Induced Neurotoxicity"

Abstract

Pretreatment with genistein and 17β-estradiol maintained animals’ temperature and weight, restored % PPI, attenuated locomotor hypoactivity, increased retention latencies in the passive avoidance task. They also improved the oxidative stress profile, increased ATP levels, attenuated 3-NPA-induced increase in cortical and hippocampal AChE activity and decreased the expression of COX-2 and iNOS. Genistein also decreased striatal PGE2 production and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Overall, the highest genistein dose (20 mg/kg) was the most effective. Conclusion: Genistein has neuroprotective effects which are comparable to that exerted by 17β-estradiol as both of them improved the behavioral parameters of 3-NPA-treated ovariecomized rats, restored ATP levels, decreased oxidative stress, reduced AChE activity and exerted anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects in a similar manner. Therefore, the current study suggests a neuroprotective and memory enhancing effects of genistein which improved HD-related symptoms. These effects could be attributed-at least partly- to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic and cholinesterase inhibitory activities.