Neuroscience
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Evidence from clinical and experimental studies indicates that degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons is a pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). The present study was designed to investigate the neuroprotective potential of theaflavin (TF) on oxidative stress, monoamine transporters and behavioral abnormalities in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced neurodegeneration. ⋯ Pre-treatment with TF reduces oxidative stress, improves motor behavior and expression of DAT and VMAT2 in striatum and substantia nigra. These results indicate that TF might be beneficial in mitigating MPTP-induced damage of dopaminergic neurons, possibly via its neuroprotective and its antioxidant potential.