Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester with Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improve Behavioral and Histopathological Changes in the Rat Model of Parkinson' Disease

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the result of the destruction of Dopaminergic neurons in the brain. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of natural antioxidants such as caffeic acid phenethyl ester for the maintenance of these neurons. Methods: Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is one of the main ingredients of Propolis. Intranasal administration of (1-methyl-4-phenyl-2;3;4;6-tetrahydropyridine) MPTP was used to generate PD model in rats. 2×106 bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) were injected from tail vein. Behavioral test, Immunohistochemistry, DiI, cresyl fast violet, TUNEL staining were evaluated, 2 weeks after treatment. Results: DiI staining method revealed in all treatment groups using stem cells, the cells migrated to the substantia nigra pars compacta after injection. Treatment with CAPE significantly protects dopaminergic neurons from MPTP. The highest number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH( positive neurons was seen in group Pre CAPE+PD+Stem cell. The number of TH+ cells in all groups that received CAPE was significant in compared to groups that received the stem cells only (P <0.001). Intranasal administration of MPTP significantly increase the number of apoptotic cells. The lowest number of apoptotic cells was in group Pre CAPE+PD+ Stem cell. Conclusion: The results showed that the use of CAPE and stem cells in Parkinson's rats caused a significant reduction in the apoptotic cells.