Pogostemon Cabinprevents the MPTP-induced loss of dopaminergic neurons by inhibiting CD4+ T cell infiltration in the brain

Parkinson’s disease (PD) involves the neurodegeneration of dopaminergic neurons, which is accompanied by neuroinflammation in the substantia nigra (SN). Mice treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) exhibit microglial activation-induced inflammation as well as DA neuronal damage. In this study, treatment with Pogostemon Cabin(PC) prevented the degeneration of the Dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). This neuro-protective effect of PCwas associated with microglial deactivation and a reduction in CD4+ T cell infiltration. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that PCexerts its neuroprotective function via its anti-inflammatory properties and that PCcould be employed as a novel therapeutic agent for PD associated with neuroinflammation and CD4+ T cell infiltration into central nerve system.