Curcumin exerts neuroprotective effects against homocysteine intracerebroventricular injection-induced cognitive impairment and oxidative stress in rat brain.
Aging is the major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases and oxidative stress and is involved in their pathophysiology. Oxidative stress can induce neuronal damage and modulate intracellular signaling, ultimately leading to neuronal death by apoptosis or necrosis. In this study we investigated the neuroprotective properties of the natural polyphenolic antioxidant compound, curcumin, against homocysteine (Hcy) neurotoxicity. Curcumin (5, 15, or 45 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally once daily for a period of 10 days beginning 5 days prior to Hcy (0.2 micromol/microl) intracerebroventricular injection in rats. Biochemical and behavioral studies, including passive avoidance learning and locomotor activity tests, were evaluated 24 hours after the last injection of curcumin or vehicle. Results indicated that Hcy induces lipid peroxidation and increases malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide anion (SOA) levels in whole rat brain. In addition, Hcy impaired memory retention in the passive avoidance learning test. However, curcumin treatment significantly decreased MDA and SOA levels and improved learning and memory in rats. These results suggest that Hcy may induce lipid peroxidation in rat brain and that polyphenol treatment (curcumin) improves learning and memory deficits by protecting the nervous system against oxidative stress.
Ataie
Amin
A
Department of Pharmacology, Shahid Beheshti Medical Science University, Neuroscience Research Center, Babolsar, Iran. ataieamin@yahoo.com
Sabetkasaei
Masoumeh
M
Haghparast
Abbas
A
Moghaddam
Akbar Hajizadeh
AH
Ataee
Ramin
R
Moghaddam
Shiva Nasiraei
SN
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology; D003474:Curcumin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D057967:Infusions, Intraventricular; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D009043:Motor Activity; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D006710:Homocysteine; D003474:Curcumin