Category: Parkinson's Disease: Non-Motor Symptoms
Objective: The study was designed to assess the anxiolytic effects of naringenin on rotenone-induced anxiety-like behavior, biochemical and neurochemical alterations.
Background: Anxiety is a preclinical risk factor of Parkinson’s disease (PD) that affects 40% of patients. Naringenin is a natural phenolic compound and possess antioxidant ability against various diseases. However, its effect on rotenone (pesticide) induced anxiety-like behavior, and neurochemical alteration is yet to be known.
Method: In this study, rats were supplemented with naringenin (50 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for two weeks after 8 days of rotenone (1.5 mg/kg/day, s.c.) administration. The elevated plus maze (EPM) test and light dark transition test (LDT) were used to evaluate the anxiety-like behavior in rats. Neurochemical estimation was also performed.
Results: Rotenone administration significantly (p<0.01) produced anxiety-like behavior and neurotransmitter alterations compared to control rats. Supplementation of naringenin significantly (p<0.01) produced anxiolytic effects against rotenone-induced anxiety-like behavior and modulating dopaminergic and serotonergic function and improving the oxidative status.
Conclusion: In conclusion, this study finding showed that supplementation of naringenin produced protective effects against rotenone-induced anxiety-like behavior. This study endorses the fact that the daily consumption of flavonoids such as naringenin may be helpful for treating anxiety in PD.
References: [1] Rice-Evans C (2001). Flavonoids antioxidants. Curr Med Chem 8: 797-807. [2] Zbarsky V, Datla KP, Parkar S, Rai DK, Aruoma OI, Dexter DT (2005). Neuroprotective properties of the natural phenolic antioxidants curcumin and naringenin but not quercetin and fisetinin a 6-OHDA model of Parkinson’s disease. Free Radic Res 39: 1119-1125.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
S. Madiha. Evaluation of the anxiolytic effects of naringenin in rotenone-induced rat model of Parkinson’s disease by an elevated plus maze test [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2022; 37 (suppl 2). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/evaluation-of-the-anxiolytic-effects-of-naringenin-in-rotenone-induced-rat-model-of-parkinsons-disease-by-an-elevated-plus-maze-test/. Accessed June 14, 2025.« Back to 2022 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/evaluation-of-the-anxiolytic-effects-of-naringenin-in-rotenone-induced-rat-model-of-parkinsons-disease-by-an-elevated-plus-maze-test/