Pomegranate juice (PJ) is a rich source of ellagitannins, precursors of colonic metabolite - urolithin A believed to contribute to pomegranate's neuroprotective effect. While many experimental studies involving PJ role in Alzheimer's disease and hypoxic-ischemic brain injury have been carried out, our knowledge of pomegranate's effects against Parkinson's disease (PD) is very limited. Previously we have reported that PJ treatment improved the postural stability, which correlated well with the enhancement of neuronal survival, protection against oxidative damage, and α-synuclein aggregation. Since olfactory and motor deficits are typical symptoms of PD, in this study, we aimed to investigate the capability of PJ for protecting the olfactory, motoric and neurochemical alterations. To evaluate its efficiency, Wistar rats were given the combined treatment with ROT and PJ (500 mg/kg/day p.o) for 35 days. After that, we assessed olfactory discrimination index (DI) and vertical and horizontal activities as well as dopamine level in the dissected midbrain and cortex of animals.

Our findings provide the first evidence that PJ treatment protects against impairment of DA neurotransmission in the midbrain and cortex that correlated well with the enhanced olfactory discrimination performance. In addition, PJ ameliorated motor deficit as evidenced by the maintenance of vertical activity at the control level.