Background: Crocin is considered to prevent oxidative stress-related diseases, such
as ischemia and Alzheimer's. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the effects of
crocin on motor behaviour and 6-OHDA-induced oxidative/nitrosative damage to the striatum in
an experimental model of Parkinson's disease.
Methods: Left medial forebrain bundle was lesioned by microinjection of 6-OHDA (16μg
in 0.2% ascorbate-saline). Crocin (30 and 60 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally three days
before surgery until six weeks. Rotational behaviour and biochemical analysis were used to
evaluate the effect of crocin in a unilateral 6-OHDA-induced model of Parkinson's disease.
Results: The contralateral rotations induced by apomorphine in 6-OHDA lesioned
group were highly significant (P < 0.001) as compared to the sham group. Moreover, chronic
administration of crocin at doses of 30 and 60 mg/kg over six weeks did not change the rotations.
The TBARS and nitrite levels in the striatum were also significantly (P < 0.05) increased in
lesioned group. Treatment with crocin at a dose of 60 mg/kg significantly decreased the nitrite
levels (P < 0.05) in the striatum.
Conclusion: Crocin at a dose of 60 mg/kg could be effective in preventing the nitrosative
damage in the striatum. Further investigations using higher doses of crocin is suggested to get the
full neuroprotective effects of crocin in Parkinson's disease.