Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus, an endocrine disorder, and Parkinson's disease, a neurological condition, are common diseases that negatively affect individuals' quality of life. The incidence of Parkinson's disease is typically higher in diabetic individuals than in non-diabetic individuals. Several studies have reported that the use of hypoglycemic agents (such as glibenclamide, tolbutamide, and glipizide) is associated with a reduced risk of Parkinson's disease in diabetic individuals. This study evaluated the effect of gliclazide in an experimental rat model. Rats were given a high-fructose diet for 14 d, followed by intraperitoneal administration of alloxan to induce diabetes, mimicking human conditions. All diabetic rats then received intraperitoneal haloperidol for the next 7 d to induce Parkinson's disease. The drugtreated group additionally received gliclazide. The effects of gliclazide on motor and cognitive functions were evaluated using the rotarod test, bar test, inclined plane test, Y-maze, and Morris water maze. Study findings showed that gliclazide counteracted the effects of the haloperidol and fructose-fed alloxan regimen on motor and cognitive function, as evidenced by a significant reduction in cataleptic score, latency time to reach the top of the inclined plane, and improved fall-off time in the rotarod test. Additionally, gliclazide reduced the latency to find the hidden platform in the Morris water maze and increased the percentage of alteration behavior in the Y-maze. In light of these results, gliclazide, a sulfonylurea, appears protective and could be a candidate for clinical trials in individuals using antidiabetic drugs, particularly those with early-stage Parkins on’s disease.