title: Neuroprotective effect of curcuminoids against inflammation-mediated dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the MPTP model of Parkinson's disease.
abstract: The present study investigated the neuroprotective effect of curcuminoids, the active polyphenols of Curcuma longa (L.) rhizomes against inflammation-mediated dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6- tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) model of Parkinson's disease (PD). Male C57BL/6 mice were pre-treated with curcuminoids (150 mg/kg/day) for 1 week, followed by four intra-peritoneal (i.p.) injections of MPTP (20 mg/kg) at 2 h intervals with further administration of curcuminoids or deprenyl (3 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks. Our results show that oral administration of curcuminoids significantly prevented MPTP-mediated depletion of dopamine and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity. In-addition, pre-treatment with curcuminoids reversed glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) protein expression, as well as, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine and total nitrite generation in the striatum of MPTP-intoxicated mice. Significant improvement in motor performance and gross behavioural activity, as determined by rota-rod and open field tests were also observed. Taken together, our findings suggest that curcuminoids exert a neuroprotective effect against MPTP-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration through its anti-inflammatory action and thus holds immense potential as a therapeutic candidate for the prevention and management of PD.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Advanced Research in Indian System of Medicine (CARISM), SASTRA University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu, India.
authors.forename: Rudra P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Ojha
authors.forename: Manisha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rastogi
authors.forename: B Parimala
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Devi
authors.forename: Aruna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Dubey
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030024:Curcuma; D003474:Curcumin / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059290:Dopaminergic Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D003474:Curcumin