Neuroprotective activity of alpha-dihydroergocryptine in animal models.

alpha-Dihydroergocryptine (alpha-DHEC) is a well known dopaminergic agent successfully employed in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. alpha-DHEC showed a neuroprotective activity against total cerebral ischemia induced by MgCl2 in mice and histocytic anoxia by NaCN in mice and rats. Moreover the drug promoted the recovery of locomotor activity in rats after cerebral ischemic damage and protected mice against convulsions induced by intracerebroventricular injections of NMDA and glutamate. alpha-DHEC showed a protective activity on neuronal degeneration induced by MPTP in monkeys, as evaluated through animal's behaviour and morphological-cytochemical changes in the substantia nigra, suggesting a preservative effect on neuronal morphology and brain architecture. In the MPTP-treated monkeys, the alpha-DHEC administration induced a restoration of the unstimulated MDA values to control levels. The neuroprotective activity of alpha-DHEC is related to its peculiar activity on antioxidative enzymes of GSH system and to reduction of lipid-peroxide-induced cellular degeneration.