ABSTRACT
Objective: To study whether Zhichan Granule could enhance the effect of Madopar for treating Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: Subacute PD model induced by methylphenyltetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in mice was adopted and 105 male C57 mice were randomly divided into seven groups with 15 in each group,they were control group, model group, Zhichan Granule in low dose (3.5 g/kg) medium dose (9.0 g/kg), and high dose (22 g/kg) combined with DOPA (50 mg/kg) groups, Zhichan Granule (22 g/kg), and Madopar (50 mg/kg) groups, respectively. Behaviors of mice in each group were observed by rollover and pole climbing method. The content of striatum dopamine and the number of dopamine neurons of substantia nigra were detected by HPLC and immunohistochemical method. Results: Compared with the Madopar group, the content of striatum dopamine and the number of dopamine neurons of substantia nigra were significantly increased in the group of low-dose Zhichan Granule combined with Madopar, and the behaviors were significantly improved. Compared with the model group, the behaviors were significantly improved in the group of Zhichan Granule. The results indicated that Zhichan Granule in a low-dose could enhance the effect of Madopar for treating PD, resulting in reduction of the dose of Madopar to a certain degree. Conclusion: Zhichan Granule could enhance the effect of Madopar for treating PD, which has nerve protective effect.