Effects of curcumin on pentylenetetrazole-induced anxiety-like behaviors and associated changes in cognition and monoamine levels.

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to estimate the protective effects of curcumin against anxiety and memory impairment, which are often comorbid in patients with anxiety disorders who are on standard anxiolytic therapy. The effects of curcumin on brain monoamine levels were also determined. We used the elevated plus maze (EPM), a standard animal model of anxiety, to determine the effects of subacute administration (14 days) of curcumin at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg (p.o.) against pentylenetetrazole (PTZ; 20 mg/kg, i.p.)-induced anxiety-like behavior, followed by an evaluation of the effects of curcumin on cognitive deficits induced by PTZ using the passive avoidance retention task. Rats were exposed to the passive avoidance learning task before the initiation of treatment, and the effects on memory retention were studied 24 h after the EPM trial. A marked increase in the time spent in the open arms, an index of anxiety, and an increase in the step-down latency, an index of memory retention, were observed in curcumin-treated rats. Curcumin increased the levels of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine in various regions of the rat brain. These results confirm the anxiolytic and memory-retentive effects of curcumin, and alterations in brain monoamine levels may have contributed to the present findings.

A high dose of short term exogenous d-galactose administration in young male rats produces symptoms simulating the natural aging process

“…Anxiogenic behavior was also exhibited by D-gal administrated rats in LDT as evident from less time spent and fewer entries in the light compartment. Although in the present study it is difficult to justify the depressogenic and anxiogenic effects in terms of brain 5-HT levels, however, the anxiogenic effects produced by D-gal may possibly be due to decreased levels of 5-HT in brain which cause an upregulation of post synaptic 5-HT2C anxiogenic receptors that may lead to anxiogenic symptoms [14,44]. Another cause could be that overwhelming D-gal may also lead to metabolic stress which probably may result in anxiety like behavior [10].…”

An investigation of the effects of curcumin on anxiety and depression in obese individuals: A randomized controlled trial

“…(28) This latter finding on the enhancement of serotonin and norepinephrine by curcumin is of particular importance due to the important role of these neurotrransmitters in mood regulation. (37) The serotonergic system plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders.…”

“…Inspite of the preclinical evidence that exists on the anti-depressant and anti-anxiety activities of curcumin, (26)(27)(28) there is a lack of scientific evidence on its clinical efficacy. Furthermore, curcumin is reported to possess anti-obesity effects which due to the close relationship between obesity and psychiatric disorders, could lead to the improvement of psychiatric disorders.…”

Multiple antidepressant potential modes of action of curcumin: a review of its anti-inflammatory, monoaminergic, antioxidant, immune-modulating and neuroprotective effects

“…These have consistently demonstrated that both acute (Arora et al, 2011;Chimakurthy and Talasila, 2010;Gilhotra and Dhingra, Antidepressant Potential Modes of Action of Curcumin 2010; Kulkarni et al, 2008;Sanmukhani et al, 2011;Wang et al, 2008) and chronic (Bhutani et al, 2009;Huang et al, 2011;Li et al, 2009;Sanmukhani et al, 2011;Xia et al, 2007;Xu et al, 2005b) administration of curcumin to rats and mice reduces immobility time.…”