INVESTIGATION OF NEUROPROTECTIVE AND NEUROTROPHIC EFFECTS OF EDIBLE BIRD’S NEST IN PARKINSON’S DISEASE MODELS

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder which primarily impacts the motor skills of elderly. The study demonstrated that edible bird’s nest (EBN), the salivary product of Aerodramus swiftlet, protected neurons against oxidative and nitrosative stresses, and promoted proliferation, migration and neurogenesis of neural stem cell. EBN also improved motor functions in PD mouse model through antioxidative and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Analysis on EBN revealed presence of compounds implicated in immunity, extracellular matrix formation, neurodevelopment, cell survival, cell proliferation and migration, antioxidation and common cellular processes. EBN may be further investigated for its nutraceutical application on neurodegenerative diseases.