Evaluating the Efficacy of Natural Health Products as a Treatment for Mechanisms Implicated in Parkinson’s Disease​
Standing
Undergraduate
Type of Proposal
Oral Research Presentation
Challenges Theme
Open Challenge
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Siyaram Pandey
Proposal
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by a loss of dopaminergic neurons and Lewy bodies in the substantia nigra region of the brain. Traditional treatments of PD include Levodopa which slows the progression of PD but can cause adverse side effects with long-term usage. Natural health products (NHPs) are a proposed treatment option that circumvents the negative side effects associated with traditional treatments and may prevent the progression of Parkinson’s disease as well as alleviate associated symptoms. Previous studies demonstrate that NHPs such as Ubisol-Q10 and Ashwagandha root extract possess neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory capabilities, which may target mechanisms implicated in PD. It is hypothesized that Ubisol-Q10 and Ashwagandha may prevent PD by stabilizing mitochondrial function, inducing autophagy, and decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation. Additionally, a combinatorial treatment of Ubisol-Q10 and Ashwagandha is hypothesized to be most effective due to the complex nature of PD. PD was induced in rat models through paraquat injections, and brain tissue was preserved and sectioned into 5 different treatment groups. The degree of oxidative stress, autophagy, inflammation, and activation of neurotrophic growth factors in the treatment groups was examined through immunofluorescent antibody staining and microscopic imaging. Results demonstrated that Ubisol-Q10 and Ashwagandha exhibited neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties through the hypothesized mechanisms, with greater expression in the combinatorial treatment group. Future studies utilizing immunohistochemical staining and stereological analysis with tyrosine hydroxylase may provide greater insight into using NHPs as a potential treatment for PD.
Grand Challenges
Viable, Healthy and Safe Communities
Evaluating the Efficacy of Natural Health Products as a Treatment for Mechanisms Implicated in Parkinson’s Disease​
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by a loss of dopaminergic neurons and Lewy bodies in the substantia nigra region of the brain. Traditional treatments of PD include Levodopa which slows the progression of PD but can cause adverse side effects with long-term usage. Natural health products (NHPs) are a proposed treatment option that circumvents the negative side effects associated with traditional treatments and may prevent the progression of Parkinson’s disease as well as alleviate associated symptoms. Previous studies demonstrate that NHPs such as Ubisol-Q10 and Ashwagandha root extract possess neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory capabilities, which may target mechanisms implicated in PD. It is hypothesized that Ubisol-Q10 and Ashwagandha may prevent PD by stabilizing mitochondrial function, inducing autophagy, and decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation. Additionally, a combinatorial treatment of Ubisol-Q10 and Ashwagandha is hypothesized to be most effective due to the complex nature of PD. PD was induced in rat models through paraquat injections, and brain tissue was preserved and sectioned into 5 different treatment groups. The degree of oxidative stress, autophagy, inflammation, and activation of neurotrophic growth factors in the treatment groups was examined through immunofluorescent antibody staining and microscopic imaging. Results demonstrated that Ubisol-Q10 and Ashwagandha exhibited neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties through the hypothesized mechanisms, with greater expression in the combinatorial treatment group. Future studies utilizing immunohistochemical staining and stereological analysis with tyrosine hydroxylase may provide greater insight into using NHPs as a potential treatment for PD.