L-Ergothioneine ameliorates 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced Parkinson’s disease in C57BL/6J mice by activating DJ-1

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. The loss of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons in the substantia nigra and the decrease of dopamine (DA) levels accelerate the process of PD. L-Ergothioneine (EGT) is a natural antioxidant derived from microorganisms, especially in edible mushrooms. EGT can penetrate blood-brain barrier and its levels are significantly decreased in the plasma of PD patients. Therefore, we speculated that EGT could ameliorate PD, and determined its effect on PD development by using 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD mouse models and neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺)-induced cell models. Our results show that EGT alleviated MPTP-induced behavioral dysfunction in mice. Mechanistically, we innovatively revealed that EGT was a key regulator of DJ-1. EGT restored DA levels by activating the DJ-1-nuclear receptor-related factor 1 (Nurr1) axis. Furthermore, it reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by regulating the DJ-1-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway, which inhibited oxidative stress-induced DAergic neuronal apoptosis. Combined treatment with DJ-1-siRNA transfection revealed that blocking DJ-1 reversed EGT upregulated Nurr1 and Nrf2 expression in the nucleus, which significantly decreased the benefits of EGT. Taken together, our study suggests that EGT can ameliorate PD and be considered as a strategy for PD treatment.