Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive impairment of motor and non-motor functions, particularly affecting aging populations. Approximately 0.1-0.2% of the global population is impacted, with the rate significantly higher among the elderly. Currently, an estimated 10 million individuals are living with PD, a number projected to rise to 25 million by 2050 due to aging demographics. The burden is notably greater in males, and prevalence increases with age. As PD progresses, it leads to debilitating motor decline, severely compromising patients' independence and quality of life. These challenges are compounded by the current inability to definitively diagnose early-stage PD and the absence of effective neuroprotective therapies to halt disease progression. Thus, there is an urgent need for preventive measures to mitigate the substantial social and economic burdens associated with this debilitating condition. Recent research highlights the gut-brain axis as a potential regulator of PD, with probiotics emerging as promising dietary interventions. In this study, we investigated the effects of a 4-week supplementation with probiotics (Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus GG, and Bifidobacterium), esculetin (a natural coumarin compound), and a combination of both on unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced PD rats. Our findings indicate that PD rats treated with probiotics, esculetin, and their combination demonstrated varying degrees of improvement in motor performance, with statistically significant enhancements particularly observed in movement velocity and rotarod endurance. Notably, the 6-OHDA model group exhibited distinct microbial community characteristics compared to the control group. Treatment with probiotics, esculetin, and their combination induced specific enrichment or reduction of microbial taxa. This study underscores the potential of interventions targeting both gut microbiota and neuroprotection, offering new hope for the management of Parkinson’s disease. By integrating gut-brain axis mechanisms with therapeutic strategies, these findings pave the way for future development of preventive approaches against this challenging neurodegenerative disorder.

Source Publication

IV Bio.Natural 2025 – Bioactive Natural Products Research Conference, July 2025, Lisbon, Portugal

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