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

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.