Design and Development of Novel Glitazones for Activation of PGC-1α Signaling Via PPAR-γ Agonism: A Promising Therapeutic Approach against Parkinson’s Disease

Herein, we rationally designed and developed two novel glitazones (G1 and G2) to target peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) signaling through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR)-γ agonism as a therapeutic for Parkinson’s disease (PD). The synthesized molecules were analyzed by mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. The neuroprotective functionality of the synthesized molecules was assessed by a cell viability assay in lipopolysaccharide-intoxicated SHSY5Y neuroblastoma cell lines. The ability of these new glitazones to scavenge free radicals was further ascertained via a lipid peroxide assay, and pharmacokinetic properties were verified using in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity analyses. The molecular docking reports recognized the mode of interaction of the glitazones with PPAR-γ. The G1 and G2 exhibited a noticeable neuroprotective effect in lipopolysaccharide-intoxicated SHSY5Y neuroblastoma cells with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration value of 2.247 and 4.509 μM, respectively. Both test compounds prevented 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced motor impairment in mice, as demonstrated by the beam walk test. Further, treating the diseased mice with G1 and G2 resulted in significant restoration of antioxidant enzymes glutathione and superoxide and reduced the intensity of lipid peroxidation inside the brain tissues. Histopathological analysis of the glitazones-treated mice brain revealed a reduced apoptotic region and a rise in the number of viable pyramidal neurons and oligodendrocytes. The study concluded that G1 and G2 showed promising results in treating PD by activating PGC-1α signaling in brain via PPAR-γ agonism. However, more extensive research is necessary for a better understanding of functional targets and signaling pathways.