The Effect of Selegiline on Reducing Oxidative Stress in Polymorphonuclear Blood Cells (Lymphocytes) Isolated from Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a persistent condition resulting in an inflammatory response abide by the pathological mechanism of autoimmunity that causes the cartilage, bone, and joint tissues to deteriorate, lowering one’s quality of life in general. Several studies have suggested a significant association between oxidative stress caused by leukocyte-mediated inflammatory responses and the conversion of a substantial amount of oxygen into diverse free radicals, resulting in oxidative harm, including the chronic nature of rheumatoid arthritis. The utilization of DMARDs which are known as biologic and conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, has exhibited encouraging results. However, it is crucial to prioritize the discovery of novel and efficacious medications for rheumatoid arthritis in order to address the constraints associated with current therapeutic approaches. Selegiline, a synthetic drug primarily employed to manage Parkinson’s disease, predominantly interferes with the MAO-B enzyme, also known as monoamine oxidase. Additionally, it has been demonstrated to possess free radical-neutralizing properties. The goal of this study is to assess the effectiveness of selegiline in reducing oxidative stress indicators in peripheral blood mononuclear lymphocyte cells isolated from individuals diagnosed with RA. Peripheral blood was collected from 20 RA patients in accordance with the American College of Rheumatology standard. Lymphocytes were isolated following incubation with 1.5 μg/mL phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and treatment with different concentrations (50–200 μg/mL) of selegiline. This study reveals that selegiline in concentrations of 150 and 200 μg/mL was effective enough to alleviate oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals and improving the level of natural defensive enzymes playing as antioxidants. Therefore, it can be concluded that the MAO-B inhibitor selegiline has potential as a non-toxic repurposed medicine for curtailing the pathological effects of oxidative overload during RA, unlocking the opportunity for further investigation into the impact on other inflammatory cells, such as neutrophils.