The Effect of Herniarin on Memory Improvement and Regulation of NRF2/NF-κB Expression in in 6-Hydroxydopamine-Induced Parkinson's Model in Rats

Subject Areas : Journal of Animal Biology

Maryam Rafiei Rad ¹ , Ali Saleh Hamd ² , Shahrbano Alami Rostami ³

1 - Department of Biology, Iz.C., Islamic Azad University, Izeh, Iran
2 - Department of Biology, Shi.C., Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran
3 - Department of Biology, Go.C., Islamic Azad University, Gorgan, Iran

Received: 2025-06-01 Accepted : 2025-09-22 Published : 2025-11-30

Keywords: Herniarin, Parkinson’s disease, Memory, NRF2, NF-κB. ,

Abstract :

Parkinson's disease is characterized by the destruction of dopaminergic neurons. Herniarin is a phenolic compound with potent antioxidant properties that has shown neuroprotective potential in neurodegenerative disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of herniarin on memory and NRF2 and NF-κB gene expression in brain tissue in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Forty male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were divided into the following groups: control, Parkinson's with 6-OHDA damage in the anterior-medial cerebral cortex, and Parkinson's groups treated with herniarin (150 and 300 mg/kg, gavage, 28 days). Memory was assessed after treatment and NRF2 and NF-κB gene expression in brain tissue was measured using real-time PCR. Data were evaluated by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test. The Parkinson's group showed significant memory impairment with reduced latency in light-to-dark transition. Herniarin significantly improved memory at both doses. While NRF2 expression was not significantly changed, NF-κB expression in Parkinson's mice was increased (2.5-fold compared to control). Herniarin (150 and 300 mg/kg) significantly reduced NF-κB (1.5-fold and 1-fold, respectively). The results showed that herniarin ameliorates memory deficits in Parkinson's mice and probably acts through inhibition of NF-κB rather than enhancement of NRF2, highlighting its neuroprotective role.

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