Fig. 1. The regulatory mechanism of Nrf2. Under normal circumstances, Nrf2 is inhibited by Keap1 in the cytoplasm. In the presence of oxidative stress, Nrf2 is transferred to the nucleus to trigger the expression of downstream antioxidase genes. Nrf2 also regulates mitochondrial autophagy and is regulated by it. DACA is identified as an activator of Nrf2 by inhibiting Keap1, which provides a promising target against PD.
Rosmarinus officinalis L.(rosemary) is one of the most popular perennial culinary herbs cultivated all over the world[21]. Both fresh and dried leaves of rosemary have been used in food cooking or consumed in small amount as herbal tea. Rosemary extracts are routinely employed as natural antioxidant to improve the shelf life of perishable foods[22-24]. Our team has been engaged in the research and evaluation of phytochemicals for many years, and found that rosemary is rich in diterpenoids[25, 26]. DACA is the product of structural modification of one of diterpenoids with antioxidant activity and neuroprotective effect. But its therapeutic potential in PD has not been elucidated. The objective of the current study is to explore the protective effects of DACA in animal and cell models of PD and to investigate mechanism of its neuroprotection.