Therapeutic Botulinum Neurotoxin Ameliorates Motor Deficits and Anxiety, Accompanied by Dopaminergic Neuroprotection and Diminished Microglia Burden in the MPTP-Induced Mouse Model of Parkinson’s Disease

<b>Background</b>: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN), leading to motor impairments and numerous non-motor manifestations, including anxiety. Notably, anxiety has been shown to exacerbate disease progression and hinder treatment outcomes in PD. Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), recognized for its ability to block excessive release of acetylcholine (ACh), has been shown to provide clinical effectiveness in managing motor symptoms. BoNT appears to enhance neuroregenerative plasticity and mitigate neuroinflammation through mechanisms speculated to extend beyond its classical mode of action. Nevertheless, reports on its potential anxiolytic and neuroprotective effects in PD remain limited. <b>Aim</b>: This study investigated the effect of BoNT on motor and anxiety-like behaviors in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced mouse model of PD. <b>Methods</b>: The experimental animals were assessed for behavioral changes using the open field test (OFT), rotarod, pole test, light-dark box test (LDBT), and elevated plus maze (EPM). Immunohistochemistry was employed to enumerate tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive dopaminergic neurons and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule (Iba)-1 expressing microglia in SN. <b>Results</b>: BoNT treatment markedly alleviated motor deficits and anxiety. Quantification of TH- and Iba-1-positive cells revealed that BoNT promotes neuroprotection and minimizes microglial burden in the SN of the PD model. <b>Conclusions</b>: The outcome of the study represents the anxiolytic, neuroprotective, and microglial modulatory potentials of BoNT in PD, supporting its therapeutic promise beyond the management of motor symptoms. Given its multifaceted properties, BoNT can be considered a potential therapeutic candidate for PD and other neurological disorders.