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Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder affecting elderly people. The aim of this study is to analyze the efficacy of dopaminergic and non- dopaminergic agents and natural sources in the treatment of rotenone-induced PD in rats. Rotenone-induced PD rats recorded severe alternation in neurotransmitters level, oxidative stress markers, energetic biomarkers, inflammatory mediator, apoptotic index, adenosine A2AR gene expression and brain histopathological features. The treatment efficacy of hesperidin (Hesp), naringenin (Narin), levodopa (L-dopa) and adenosine A2A receptor antagonist (A2AR; ZM241385) were evaluated using biochemical and genetic markers measurements as well as histological analysis of the brain. Naringenin recorded the most potent effect in comparison to hesperidin. ZM and levodopa had almost the same enhancement level. Naringenin may be considered as promising supplement for Parkinson’s disease treatment. Further studies are needed to confirm ZM use as a new non-dopaminergic drug without any side effects as such exerted by levodopa.

Pulicaria undulata subsp. undulata (Family; Asteraceae) is a medicinal plant used to treat inflammation. The objective of this study is to explore the protective effect of the ethanol extract of P. undulata subsp. undulata aerial parts against ethanol induced gastric ulcer in rats. The chemical composition of plant extract, the unsaponifiable matter and the fatty acid methyl esters were analyzed. The biological evaluation was carried out through measuring ulcer indices, oxidative stress markers, certain marker enzymes, inflammatory index and the histopathological assessment of the stomach in rats. The total unsaponifiable matter (94.29%) and the fatty acid methyl ester (82.96%) content were identified. Gastric ulcer recorded significant increase in gastric volume and lesion counts (p < 0.0001). Drastic changes in all biochemical parameters under investigation were observed. Protection with plant extract reversed the action of ethanol by variable degrees of improvement in comparison with the reference drug. The presence of carbohydrates and proteins that acted as a mucilage lining the stomach inner wall give its protective action. In conclusion, P. undulata subsp. undulata succeeded to have anti-ulcerative protective effect. The measured biomarkers served as a good mirror to predict gastric ulcer and the presence of carbohydrates, protein and fibers present in the plant extract acted as a mucilage lining the inner intestinal wall and protect against ethanol induced gastric ulcer. Future study will be carried out to identify the biologically active compounds responsible for plant protection against the gastric ulcer.