A Study to Evaluate the Neuroprotective property of Aqueous Extract of Mentha piperita Leaves on Haloperidol Induced Parkinsonism in Experimental rats

The main objective of the proposed study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective property of aqueous extract of the Mentha piperita leaves (AEMPL) against haloperidol induced Parkinsonism in experimental animals. Rats were divided into 5 groups (n=6 animals). Group 1 received vehicle control, Group 2 received Haloperidol (1mg/kg, i.p.), Group 3receivedstandard drug Sinemet (125mg/kg p.o.), Group4andGroup5treated with lower (100mg/kg, p.o.) and higher (250mg/kg, p.o.) doses of AEMPL respectively for 14 days. Later motor co-ordination (rota-rod), locomotor activity (actophotometer) and catalepsy bar test was performed and also brain histopathological examination was also done. Both the lower and higher doses of aqueous extract of Mentha piperita leaves showed dose dependent, extremely significant increases in locomotor activity by increasing number of cuts, decreases fall off time and also decreases in latency period in metal bar test, histopathological examination shows reduction in neuronal loss and normal brain architecture was observed when compared haloperidol treated group. Hence Mentha piperita shows neuroprotective activity because of potential anti-oxidant property. The obtained result was comparable with that of the standard drug levodopa+carbidopa (Sinemet). The outcome of the present study provides the evidence that the aqueous extract of Mentha piperita leaves reported that it has dose dependent beneficial neuroprotective effect against haloperidol induced Parkinson’s disease in experimental rats.