Neurobehavioral and Micro Structural Evaluation of the Anti-anxiety Potential of Flaxseed oil Following Rotenone-induced Parkinson’ Disease in Mice

Aim: This study investigated the neurobehavioral and micro structural anti-anxiety potential of flaxseed oil following rotenone-induced Parkinson’ disease [PD] in mice

Study Design: Fifty-six adult male and female mice (Mus musculus) weighing between 23.9-26.3 grams were used for this study. The mice were randomly placed into four groups of fourteen mice each: A (Control; mice pellets), B (Rotenone 3 mg/kg, IP), C (Rotenone + Flaxseed oil 0.3 ml orally), and D (0.3 ml Flaxseed + Rotenone).

Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Anatomy, Olabisi Onabanjo University. Between May and September, 2016.

Methodology: The brains were excised, weighed and appropriate sections taken and processed histology and labelled with H&E, silver and Nissl stains and immuno-cytochemically with GFAP.

Results: The results showed significant (P<0.005) increase in anxiety related activities and neuronal structural derangement, and degeneration of astrocytes in the rotenone-induced Parkinson’s mice, which were counter/ameliorated by flaxseed oil treatments.

Conclusion: In conclusion, flaxseed oil acts as a neuro-protective agent against the insult of rotenone model of Parkinson’s disease, thus it should be further evaluated as a potential therapeutic candidate in the management/treatment of Parkinson's disease.