Neuroprotective effect and mechanism of abscisic acid in MPTP-induced Parkinson’s disease model mice

LONG Xue-lin 1  ZHAO Ya-ni 1  ZHOU Xia 1  SU Bing-yin 1 ，2  LI  Shu-rong1; 3*  TAN  Hong-lin1; 2*

doi:10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.06.001

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Acta Anatomica Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 56 ›› Issue (6) : 635-643. DOI: 10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.06.001

Neurbiology

Neuroprotective effect and mechanism of abscisic acid in MPTP-induced Parkinson’s disease model mice

LONG Xue-lin¹ ZHAO Ya-ni¹ ZHOU Xia¹ SU Bing-yin^1,2 LI Shu-rong^1,3*TAN Hong-lin^1,2*

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Abstract

Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of abscisic acid (ABA) in 1-methyl-4-phenyl1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinson’s disease (PD) mouse models. Methods Eight-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into three groups, control group (Ctrl), MPTP group, and MPTP+ABA group, 12 mice in each group. Except for the control group, mice in the other groups were intraperitoneally injected with MPTP 25 mg/kg daily for 8 consecutive days to establish a subacute PD model. The MPTP+ABA group received intraperitoneal injections of ABA 25 mg/kg daily for 11 consecutive days, starting 3 days prior to MPTP administration. Behavioral tests were performed 24 hours after the last administration. On day 3, the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and striatum (STR) was analyzed by Western blotting, and mRNA levels of inflammatory factors were measured by Real-time PCR. Immunofluorescent staining was used to detect the expression of TH, GFAP, and ionized calciumbinding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1). Results Compared with the control group, MPTP-treated mice exhibited impaired motor function, a reduced number of TH-positive dopaminergic neurons in the SNc, down-regulated TH protein expression in both the SNc and striatum, up-regulated GFAP protein expression, increased numbers of GFAP-and Iba1-positive cells, and elevated levels of pro-inflammatory factors. In contrast, the MPTP+ABA group showed improved motor function, increased TH-positive neurons in the SNc, up-regulated TH protein expression, down-regulated GFAP protein expression, reduced numbers of GFAP-and Iba1-positive cells, and decreased pro-inflammatory factor levels compared to the MPTP group. Conclusion ABA ameliorates motor dysfunction in MPTP-induced PD model mice, reduces degeneration and death of dopaminergic neurons in the SNc, suppresses the proliferation and activation of astrocytes and microglia in the SNc and striatum, and alleviates neuroinflammation. These results suggest that ABA exerts neuroprotective effects in MPTP-induced PD model mice.

Key words

Parkinson’s disease / Abscisic acid / Neuroprotection / Immunofluorescence / Mouse

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LONG Xue-lin ZHAO Ya-ni ZHOU Xia SU Bing-yin LI Shu-rong TAN Hong-lin. Neuroprotective effect and mechanism of abscisic acid in MPTP-induced Parkinson’s disease model mice[J]. Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2025, 56(6): 635-643 https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2025.06.001

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