<b>Ameliorative Effects of Micronised Purified Flavonoid Fraction on Haloperidol-Induced Motor Impairments and Oxidative Stress in Female Wistar Rats</b>

Limited treatment options exist for drug-induced Parkinsonism, often linked to haloperidol. Micronised purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) has antioxidant properties. However, its effects on haloperidol-induced Parkinsonism are not well established. This study examines MPFF's capacity to mitigate haloperidol-induced motor impairment and oxidative stress. Twenty female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups: haloperidol (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), MPFF (100 mg/kg, orally), haloperidol + MPFF (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally + 100 mg/kg, orally), and control (normal saline, 2 mL/kg, orally). The treatment lasted for 14 days, followed by tests for catalepsy and hang wire performance, as well as biochemical assays for superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), dopamine, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Haloperidol significantly (P < 0.01) increased catalepsy latency and reduced hang wire latency (P < 0.01). It also decreased SOD and dopamine levels (P < 0.05) and raised MDA levels (P < 0.05). Co-treatment with MPFF reduced catalepsy latency at 120 minutes (P < 0.01) and improved hang wire performance in both the MPFF-alone (P < 0.01) and co-treatment groups (P < 0.05). MPFF enhanced SOD activity in both the MPFF-alone (P < 0.01) and co-treatment groups (P < 0.05) and lowered MDA in the co-treatment group (P < 0.05). Dopamine levels increased in the MPFF-alone and co-treatment groups (P < 0.05). When compared to the haloperidol-only group, the co-treatment group had higher AChE activity (P < 0.05). In conclusion, MPFF reduced oxidative stress and haloperidol-induced motor impairments in female Wistar rats, supporting its potential as a protective agent against haloperidol-induced Parkinsonism.