Evaluation of Levodopa/Carbidopa Effects in the Rotenone-Induced Parkinsonian Rat Model

Yasser, Moutaz Bellah; Hagag, Radwa; Mostafa, Norhan; Hazem, Reem

doi:10.21608/scvmj.2025.400857.1208

Evaluation of Levodopa/Carbidopa Effects in the Rotenone-Induced Parkinsonian Rat Model

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt

² Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Egyptian Russian University, Cairo, Egypt

³ Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.

10.21608/scvmj.2025.400857.1208

Abstract

Background and aim of the work: Current therapeutic attempts for management of Parkinson’s disease primarily focus on providing symptomatic relief. The current study investigated the potential effects of levodopa/carbidopa administration in the chronic rotenone-induced parkinsonian rat model.
Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were accustomed to laboratory conditions for one week prior to study initiation. The animals were assigned into either the vehicle, rotenone, or treatment group via random allocation. The vehicle group received subcutaneous sunflower oil (rotenone vehicle) and oral distilled water (L-dopa/carbidopa vehicle). The rotenone group received subcutaneous rotenone (1.5 mg/kg) and oral distilled water. The treatment group was given subcutaneous rotenone (1.5mg/kg) and oral 100mg/kg levodopa + 10mg/kg carbidopa. The study regimen was conducted over 30 days. Subcutaneous injections were administered every other day until day 21. Starting from day 10, oral therapy was given daily until day 30. The extent of rodent locomotor activity was assessed using open field (square crossings, grooming, and rearing behavior). Rodents were subsequently euthanized and dissected for determination of dopamine concentrations in striatal tissue homogenates.
Results: Rodents in the rotenone group showed significant dyskinesia with markedly reduced crossings, grooming, and rearing, whereas treatment with L-dopa/carbidopa markedly improved their motor function. Additionally, L-dopa/carbidopa treatment significantly elevated striatal dopamine content compared to the rotenone group but did not approximate dopamine levels for the vehicle control rats.
Conclusion: The study findings indicate the potential benefits of L-dopa/carbidopa administration in amelioration of motor dysfunction and improvement of striatal dopamine content in the chronic rotenone model.

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