Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Pharmacology

Introduction: This is an experimental comparative study of the neuroprotective effects of metformin (low dose 100 mg/kg and high dose 250 mg/kg) and selegiline (0.25 mg/kg) in Parkinson disease induced in rats by Reserpine (0.1 mg/kg). Materials and methods: 56 healthy adult male rats weighing 150 - 200 gm were used and divided into 7 groups (8 rats each). Group 1 (Normal control group): Animals were injected with normal saline. Group 2 (Reserpine group). Group 3 (Low dose Metformin + Reserpine group). Group 4 (High dose Metformin + Reserpine group). Group 5 (Selegiline + Reserpine group). Group 6 (Low dose Metformin + Selegiline + Reserpine group). Group 7 (High dose Metformin + Selegiline + Reserpine group).All drugs were started from day 1 and continued for 21 days.To detect behavioural changes; Morris water maze,hang wire and forced swim tests were done to detect memory changes, motor assessment and estimation of depression respectively. The tests were done on days 1, 11 and 21. At the end of the experiment, serum blood samples were obtained to assess serum blood glucose, then rats were sacrificed and their brains were dissected and homogenized to measure dopamine, Ü synuclein and oxidative stress markers; malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels

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