Hypoestoxide reduces neuroinflammation and α-synuclein accumulation in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease

Changyoun Kim, Emmanuel Ojo-Amaize, Brian Spencer, Edward Rockenstein, Michael Mante, Paula Desplats, Wolf Wrasidlo, Anthony Adame, Emeka Nchekwube, Olusola Oyemade, Joseph Okogun, Michael Chan, Howard Cottam, Eliezer Masliah

Deposition of α-synuclein and neuroinflammation are key pathological features of Parkinson's disease (PD). There is no cure for the disease; however, targeting the pathological features might be available to modulate the disease onset and progression. Hypoestoxide (HE) has been demonstrated as a NF-κB modulator, thereby acting as a potential anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer drug. In order to assess the effect of HE in a mouse model of PD, mThy1-α-syn transgenic mice received intraperitoneal (IP) injections of either vehicle or HE (5 mg/kg) daily for 4 weeks. Treatment of HE decreased microgliosis, astrogliosis, and pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression in α-syn transgenic mice. HE administration also prevented the loss of dopaminergic neurons and ameliorated motor behavioral deficits in the α-syn transgenic mice, and α-synuclein pathology was significantly reduced by treatment of HE. In addition, increased levels of nuclear phosphorylated NF-κB in the frontal cortex of α-syn transgenic mice were significantly reduced by HE administration. These results support the therapeutic potential of HE for PD and other α-synuclein-related diseases.