Protective effect of Biarum carduchrum extract on depression and pain in Parkinson's model induced by 6-hydroxydopamine in rats

Parkinson is a long-term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that mainly affects the motor system. Pain and emotional disorders due to Parkinson negatively affect the quality of the patient’s life. Biarum carduchrum is an antioxidant plant with some application in traditional medicine. The aim of this study is to evaluate the protective effects of Biarum carduchrum extract on pain and emotional disorders caused by 6-hydroxydopamine injection. Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 8 animals. The control group received normal saline. Parkinson's groups were subjected to the injection of 6- OHDA in the right anterior mid-brain (MFB). In third, fourth and fifth groups, rats received Biarum carduchrum extract at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg via gavage 7 days after induction of Parkinson for 14 days. On day 15th, behavioral tests including forced swimming test and tail flick were performed. Treatment of Parkinsonian rats with Biarum carduchrum extract at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg dramatically reduced the duration of immobility time in the forced swimming test. Rats treated by Biarum carduchrum extract at doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg showed significantly increased resistance to pain compared with Parkinsonian rats. The results of this study show that the Biarum carduchrum extract improves depression and pain induced by Parkinson, which is probably related to its antioxidant effects.