Protective effects of resveratrol liposomes on mitochondria in substantia nigra cells of parkinsonized rats

Background Parkinson's disease (PD) is a central nervous system degenerative disease. The progressive death of dopaminergic neurons is closely correlated to mitochondrial dysfunction. Resveratrol contains three hydroxyl groups, and has a strong neuroprotective effect. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of resveratrol liposome on mitochondria of substantia nigra cells in Parkinsonized rats through experiment. Methods The investigators used 6-hydroxydopamine to establish the Parkinsonized rat model, and used resveratrol liposome from Polygonum cuspidatum (20 mg·kg-1) for gavage, up to a total volume of 1 mL, once-daily, for two weeks. After treatment, the levels of mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial complexes I-IV, mitochondrial cytochrome C, apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1), tumor necrosis factor-receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1) and phosphorylated TRAP1 in rat mesencephalic cells were detected according to the operation instructions of the kits. Results After two weeks of treatment, resveratrol liposomes could significantly enhance the activity of mitochondrial electron transfer chain complex I in the substantia nigra cells of Parkinsonized model rats, promote the expression of complex I subcomponent MT-ND1-37kD, improve mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibit the release of mitochondrial cytochrome C and apoptotic inducible factor, enhance the expression of mitochondrial functional protein PINK1, increase the phosphorylated TRAP1 level, and elevate the phosphorylated TRAP1/TRAP1 ratio. Conclusions Resveratrol liposome has positive effects on mitochondria in substantia nigra cells of Parkinsonized rats, and may be one of its pharmacological mechanisms.