title: N-methyl N-nitrosourea induced functional and structural alterations in mice brain-role of curcumin.
abstract: Curcumin is being widely used both as an herbal drug and a food additive in Asian countries. However, its prophylactic potential in containing certain brain disorders is yet to be fully explored. The present study was conceived with an idea that curcumin may prove to be effective in ameliorating N-methyl N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced adverse effects in cerebrum and cerebellum of mice. Male laca mice received either intravenous MNU treatment at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight in sterile double distilled water, curcumin alone 60 mg/kg body weight in drinking water via oral gavage, or combined MNU and curcumin treatment on alternate days for a total duration of 2 months. MNU treatment resulted in significant alteration in neurobehavior, reactive oxygen species, lipid profile and histoarchitecture which showed appreciable signs of improvements upon curcumin supplementation. Therefore, the study concludes that prophylactic treatment with curcumin shall prove to be effective in containing MNU-induced neurotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.
authors.forename: Neha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singla
authors.forename: Devinder Kumar
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Dhawan
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000477:Alkylating Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001007:Anxiety / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000523:psychology; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism; D008770:Methylnitrosourea / Q000633:toxicity*; D051379:Mice; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000477:Alkylating Agents; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D008770:Methylnitrosourea; D008995:Monoamine Oxidase; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D005978:Glutathione; D003474:Curcumin