Pogostemon Cabin prevents the MPTP-induced loss of dopaminergic neurons by inhibiting CD4+ T cell infiltration in the brain

Parkinson’s disease (PD) involves the neurodegeneration of dopaminergic neurons, which is accompanied by neuroinflammation in the substantia nigra (SN). Mice treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) exhibit microglial activation-induced inflammation as well as DA neuronal damage. In this study, treatment with Pogostemon Cabin (PC) prevented the degeneration of the Dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). This neuro-protective effect of PC was associated with microglial deactivation and a reduction in CD4+ T cell infiltration. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that PC exerts its neuroprotective function via its anti-inflammatory properties and that PC could be employed as a novel therapeutic agent for PD associated with neuroinflammation and CD4+ T cell infiltration into central nerve system.