SF-6 attenuates 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neurotoxicity: an in vitro and in vivo investigation in experimental models of Parkinson's disease.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Indigofera tinctoria Linn. (I. tinctoria, Fabaceae) has been widely used for several years in the traditional Indian and Chinese system of Medicine for the treatment of epilepsy, nervous and brain disorders.

Aim Of The Study: The effect of SF-6, a compound isolated from I. tinctoria to exhibit neuroprotection in in vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson's disease (PD), was investigated.

Materials And Methods: Using human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, the effect of SF-6 on α-synuclein- or 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-, hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced cytotoxicity in vitro was investigated. In in vivo studies SF-6 was challenged against 6-OHDA-induced neuronal damage and behavioral deficits in mice.

Results: SF-6 (1, 5 and 10 μg/mL) significantly inhibited α-synuclein- or 6-OHDA-, H(2)O(2)-induced cytotoxicity and decreased the reactive oxygen species production in SH-SY5Y cells. SF-6 also scavenged hydroxyl free radicals. In in vivo evaluation, SF-6 attenuated the contralateral rotational asymmetry observed by apomorphine challenge in 6-OHDA-lesioned mice. Further, the behavioral deficits evaluated by rotarod test, Y-maze and passive avoidance tasks were reversed by SF-6 and was found more potent compared with standard compound deprenyl.

Conclusion: Data suggest that SF-6 showed neuroprotection in experimental models of PD due to its potent antioxidant action supporting the traditional claim for its use in nervous and brain disorders.