2.3.2. Inflammatory Markers Analysis

The ratio of TNF-α/GAPDH in the treated group was significantly lower compared to the ratio found in syndromic rats. The IL-1β trend was similar to the TNF-α trend.

The in vivo results are consistent with the results of in vitro studies. The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the treated group was similar to the LPSinduced group (Figure 5D). However, this outcome could indicate that the improvement of

limb coordination in Parkinsonian syndrome rats by PC-EGCG-loaded liposomes is caused by reducing neuroinflammation response, but not by increasing expression of BDNF.

It also fits previous reports that reduction of TNF-α and NO production by pretreatment of rats with EGCG (10 mg/kg) for 24 h and induction with LPS after 7 days decreased comparing to that of LPS-treated rats, and concluded that EGCG has a potential therapeutic effect for LPS-induced neurotoxicity due to reduction of TNF-α and NO release.

**Figure 5.** Animal study analysis; (**A**) effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) liposomes on Parkinsonian syndrome rat rotation behavioral test (*n* = 5 for the control group (injected with 5 μL PBS); *n* = 4 for the LPS-induced group (with 15 μg LPS); *n* = 5 for the LPS-induced and then the PC-EGCG-VE-liposome improvement group (with 15 μg LPS and PC-EGCG-VE-liposomes with 25 μM EGCG), for mean ± SEM, \* *p* < 0.05 represents the comparison between the control group and LPS. No difference between the control group and the LPS+EGCG group, # *p* < 0.05 represents the comparison between the LPS group and the LPS+EGCG group). Expression of (**B**) TNF-α, (**C**) IL-1β, and (**D**) brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in substantia nigra area of rats sacrificed after rotation behavioral test, *n* = 3, for mean ± SEM, (\* *p* < 0.05 represents the comparison between the control group and LPS. No difference between the control group and the LPS+EGCG group, # *p* < 0.05 represents the comparison between the LPS group and the LPS+EGCG group).
