Saponin‐Encapsulated Microbubbles Protect Dopaminergic Neurons from MPTP‐Induced Oxidative Stress Injury

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is starting at younger ages. In order to reduce the risk of PD in young people, Rb3 is selected as an active ingredient and assembled into Rb3 nanoparticles (Rb3NPs)encapsulated microbubbles (MBs), shorted for Rb3NPs@MBs. This study uses focused ultrasound‐mediated Rb3NPs@MBs to cross the blood–brain barrier and reach the brain lesions to be intervened in in order to explore the prevention of 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐4‐piperidinpropionate ester (MPTP)‐induced PD by Rb3NPs@MBs and its related mechanisms. In the present study, Rb3NPs@MBs prevent MPTP‐induced tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)‐positive cell decreases, decrease TH expression, increase Park2 expression, and decrease expression of α‐synaptonucleoprotein in the pars compactus nigra (SNc). It is found, in vitro study, that Rb3NPs treatment significantly reverses MPTP‐induced apoptosis and death of PC12/SY5Y cells, which is commonly used mouse/ human neural cell lines. It is also found that Rb3NPs@MBs can prevent the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in SNc. Finally, it is found that DJ‐1 expression decreases after Rb3NPs@MBs are introduced. Results suggest that the neuroprotective activity of Rb3NPs@MBs may be achieved by increasing the expression of DJ‐1 and decreasing the production of ROS. Taken together, these data reveal that Rb3NPs@MBs play an important role in preventing memory deficiency in PD.