Preclinical Evaluation ofPhenolic Extract-Loaded Silica in a Parkinson's Disease Model.

Abstract

The current limitations in Parkinson's Disease (PD) treatments necessitate innovative approaches. To this end, phenolic compounds from() and bioactive silica demonstrate potential therapeutic efficacy in the prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Hence, this study explores the neuroprotective potential of silica loaded withextract (SiO-TS) in a preclinical model of PD. The aqueous extract of(AETS) was prepared via infusion and characterized in terms of overall yield (21.9 ± 0.4%), total phenolic compounds (25.51 ± 2.39 mg GAE/g), and total flavonoid content (6.10 ± 0.16 mg RE/g). Silica loaded with AETS was synthesized and tested in adult Wistar rats (PD-like symptoms). The rats were treated with daily intranasal administration of SiO-TS (10 or 30 mg/kg) for 15 days. Quantitative behavioral analysis showed significant motor improvement and reduced anxiety-like behavior in the 30 mg/kg SiO-TS group compared to the 6-OHDA (6-hydroxydopamine) control. Immunohistochemistry revealed preserved dopaminergic neurons and reduced astrogliosis (GFAP expression) in the same SiO-TS group. These results suggest SiO-TS has significant neuroprotective effects and warrants further study for Parkinson's disease treatment.