Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42047872›Full record

ArticleMolecular biology reports2026

Neuroprotective role of stigmasterol through restoration of ubiquitin-proteasome gene expression in an MPTP-induced rodent model of Parkinson's disease.

Shazia Sukhera, Imtiaz Mustafa, Sadia Zafar, Qurat Ul Ain Javaid, Imran Mukhtar, Jaweria Nisar, Ahsaan Ali

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Article in Molecular biology reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Shazia SukheraInstitute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB) / Center for Research in Molecular Medicine (CRiMM),, The University of Lahore, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan.
Imtiaz MustafaInstitute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB) / Center for Research in Molecular Medicine (CRiMM),, The University of Lahore, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan. imtiaz.mustafa@imbb.uol.edu.pk.
Sadia ZafarInstitute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB) / Center for Research in Molecular Medicine (CRiMM),, The University of Lahore, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan.
Qurat Ul Ain JavaidDepartment of Pathology, Rashid Latif Medical College, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan.
Imran MukhtarDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan.
Jaweria NisarDepartment of Eastern Medicine, Directorate of Medical Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan.
Ahsaan AliJiangsu Key Laboratory for the Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Utilization in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River Basin, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundParkinson’s disease (PD) is second most common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by gradual loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Its pathophysiology reflects interlinked processes of oxidative stress, inflammation, and altered gene expressions of ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. The current therapy, L-DOPA (Sinemet) provides only symptomatic relief without modifying disease progression. This study aimed to evaluate stigmasterol, a bioactive phytocompound having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and blood brain barrier permeability, as a potential candidate for modifying disease progression in PD.

methodsPD was induced in mice using neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Animals were randomly assigned to five groups: healthy control (HC), MPTP only (PC), MPTP + Sinemet (SC), MPTP + stigmasterol therapeutic (StigTx), and stigmasterol preventive (StigPre). Oxidative stress markers, inflammatory mediators (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, CRP), hepatic and renal markers were evaluated. Dopaminergic neuronal survival was examined by tyrosine hydroxylase immunostaining, and PD-related gene expression (PRKN, PINK1, UCHL1, LRRK2) was analysed.

resultsMPTP exposure caused marked motor decline, strong oxidative stress and inflammation. Sinemet partially improved motor functions and antioxidant status but showed limited effects on lipid peroxidation and induced mild hepatic stress. In contrast, stigmasterol reduced inflammation, enhanced antioxidant defences, and improved motor ability without inducing organ toxicity. Preventive use showed more promising results by preserving dopaminergic neurons and modulated PD related gene expression.

conclusionStigmasterol improves motor dysfunction and provides significant neuroprotection, highlighting its potential as a multitarget therapeutic candidate capable of modifying disease related molecular pathways.

Indexed as

Neuroprotective AgentsParkinson DiseaseProteasome Endopeptidase ComplexStigmasterolUbiquitin1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridineAnimalsAntioxidantsDisease Models, AnimalDopaminergic NeuronsGene ExpressionGene Expression RegulationMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLOxidative Stress1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridineAntioxidantsNeuroprotective AgentsProteasome Endopeptidase ComplexStigmasterolUbiquitinDopaminergic neuronsMPTP modelNeuroprotectionOxidative stressPhytosterol

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.