Caffeic acid phenethyl ester prevents 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced neurodegeneration

• Published in: Neuroscience Vol. 188; pp. 135 - 141
• Main Authors: Fontanilla, C.V, Ma, Z, Wei, X, Klotsche, J, Zhao, L, Wisniowski, P, Dodel, R.C, Farlow, M.R, Oertel, W.H, Du, Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 11-08-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Blotting, Western; Brain - drug effects; Brain - metabolism; Brain - pathology; Caffeic Acids - pharmacology; CAPE; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Medical sciences; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; mitochondria; MPTP; MPTP Poisoning - metabolism; MPTP Poisoning - pathology; Nerve Degeneration - metabolism; Nerve Degeneration - pathology; Nerve Degeneration - prevention & control; Neurology; Neuroprotective Agents - pharmacology; Parkinson's disease; Phenylethyl Alcohol - analogs & derivatives; Phenylethyl Alcohol - pharmacology; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs; substantia nigra; Parkinson's disease; mitochondria; SNpc; CGN; CAPE; inducible nitric oxide synthase; tyrosine hydroxylase; cerebellar granule neurons; RMN; dopamine transporter; TH; rostral mesencephalic neurons; DAT; apoptosis inducing factor; caffeic acid phenethyl ester; 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine; iNOS; MAO; MPTP; DA; dopamine; AIF; monoamine oxidase; Nervous system diseases; Parkinson disease; Caffeic acid; Cerebral disorder; Toxin; Mitochondria; Central nervous system disease; Neurotoxin; Degenerative disease; Degeneration; Extrapyramidal syndrome
• ISSN: 0306-4522; 1873-7544
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.04.009

Abstract Parkinson's disease is associated with the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and decreased striatal dopamine levels. We now report that caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component of propolis, attenuated dopaminergic neurodegeneration and dopamine loss in the MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) mouse model of Parkinson's disease. The neuroprotective effect of CAPE was associated with marked reductions in inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and caspase 1 expression. Additionally, CAPE inhibited MPP+ -induced neurotoxicity in vitro and directly inhibited MPP+ -induced release of cytochrome c and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) from mitochondria. Thus, CAPE may have beneficial effects in slowing or preventing the progression of Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.