Investigation of the Neuroprotective Efficacy of a Novel Therapeutic With Ashwagandha Root Extract and Ubisol-Q10 for Parkinson’s Disease
Standing
Undergraduate
Type of Proposal
Oral Presentation
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Siyaram Pandey
Proposal
Iva Okaj, Caleb Vegh, Lauren Culmone, Darcy Wear, Rachel Huggard, Arpana Balachander, Sadia Almas, Sumeet Kaur, Siyaram Pandey Parkinson’s disease (PD), the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease, is characterized by progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta region of the brain. PD symptoms begin with a loss of movement coordination, including resting tremors, postural instability, bradykinesia and rigidity and progress to cognitive impairment, psychiatric irregularity, and death. While sporadic cases of PD are most common, paraquat (PQ) (a banned herbicide) exposure is another known cause. Although dopamine supplements and deep brain stimulation are available for symptomatic relief, there is no known preventative remedy for PD. This study is based on findings that Ubisol-Q10, a water-soluble formulation of coenzyme-Q10, shows unprecedented near-complete protection against oxidative stress-induced cell death. We have found that Ubisol-Q10 can neutralize mitochondrial dysfunction and exhibit neuroprotective effects in PQ exposed rats. Ethanolic root extract of ashwagandha (ASH) has also shown neuroprotective efficacy in maneb-paraquat treated mice. Our objective is to use a multidisciplinary approach to examine whether post-injury intervention with ASH along with Ubisol-Q10 can slow/halt the progression of neurodegeneration in a PQ-induced PD rat model. Our behavioural tests have shown that PQ-treated rats given Ubisol-Q10, ASH or a combination of both in drinking water have reduced motor impairment compared to rats given unsupplemented water. We have also found enhanced pro-survival astroglia activation in the treatment groups compared to negative controls. Treatment groups also showed a reduction in Iba-1 staining indicating lower levels of microglial (pro-inflammatory) activation. This research explores a novel therapeutic for Parkinson's Disease with promising potential.
Grand Challenges
Viable, Healthy and Safe Communities
Investigation of the Neuroprotective Efficacy of a Novel Therapeutic With Ashwagandha Root Extract and Ubisol-Q10 for Parkinson’s Disease
Iva Okaj, Caleb Vegh, Lauren Culmone, Darcy Wear, Rachel Huggard, Arpana Balachander, Sadia Almas, Sumeet Kaur, Siyaram Pandey Parkinson’s disease (PD), the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease, is characterized by progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta region of the brain. PD symptoms begin with a loss of movement coordination, including resting tremors, postural instability, bradykinesia and rigidity and progress to cognitive impairment, psychiatric irregularity, and death. While sporadic cases of PD are most common, paraquat (PQ) (a banned herbicide) exposure is another known cause. Although dopamine supplements and deep brain stimulation are available for symptomatic relief, there is no known preventative remedy for PD. This study is based on findings that Ubisol-Q10, a water-soluble formulation of coenzyme-Q10, shows unprecedented near-complete protection against oxidative stress-induced cell death. We have found that Ubisol-Q10 can neutralize mitochondrial dysfunction and exhibit neuroprotective effects in PQ exposed rats. Ethanolic root extract of ashwagandha (ASH) has also shown neuroprotective efficacy in maneb-paraquat treated mice. Our objective is to use a multidisciplinary approach to examine whether post-injury intervention with ASH along with Ubisol-Q10 can slow/halt the progression of neurodegeneration in a PQ-induced PD rat model. Our behavioural tests have shown that PQ-treated rats given Ubisol-Q10, ASH or a combination of both in drinking water have reduced motor impairment compared to rats given unsupplemented water. We have also found enhanced pro-survival astroglia activation in the treatment groups compared to negative controls. Treatment groups also showed a reduction in Iba-1 staining indicating lower levels of microglial (pro-inflammatory) activation. This research explores a novel therapeutic for Parkinson's Disease with promising potential.