Protective effect of curcumin against lead neurotoxicity in rat

Abstract

<jats:p> Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), an active ingredient of turmeric, is known to have multiple activities, including an antioxidant property, and has been suggested to be of use in treatment of several diseases. The present study has been undertaken to investigate the protective effect of curcumin against lead-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Exposure of rats to lead (50 mg/kg po) for 45 days caused an increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and a decrease in reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in cerebellum, corpus striatum, hippocampus and frontal cortex as compared with controls. Lead levels were significantly increased in these rats. Activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) decreased in all the brain regions following lead exposure. Interestingly, cotreatment with curcumin (100 mg/kg po) and lead (50 mg/kg po) for 45 days caused a significant decrease in LPO with concomitant decrease in lead levels in all the brain regions as compared with those treated with lead alone. A significant increase in reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, SOD and CAT activities was also observed in all the four brain regions in rats simultaneously treated with curcumin and lead. The results suggest that curcumin may prevent lead-induced neurotoxicity. </jats:p>

Targeting Sarcoplasmic/Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2 by Curcumin Induces ER Stress-Associated Apoptosis for Treating Human Liposarcoma

“…Moreover, curcumin is able to decrease the number of aberrant crypt foci in an azoxymethane-induced rat colon cancer model through apoptosis induction via the mitochondrial pathway (16). Curcumin is also known for its antioxidant properties and acts as a free radical scavenger by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage (17).…”

Continuous exercise training and curcumin attenuate changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor and oxidative stress induced by lead acetate in the hippocampus of male rats

“…Pb causes significant changes in oxidative stress in different brain regions, particularly in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex which are found to be more vulnerable to Pb-induced neurotoxicity (Prasanthi et al, 2010). Several mechanisms, including cholinergic dysfunction, glutamate receptor alterations, impaired antioxidant defense enzymes in the brain and enhanced oxidative stress, have been suggested to be causative factors with lead neurotoxicity (Shukla et al, 2003). Others have suggested that oxidative stress caused by lead is associated with disrupted prooxidant/antioxidant balance (Hsu & Guo, 2002).…”

“…Studies with humans show that blood lead levels, even at 10 μg/dL, may cause cognitive deficits (Shukla et al, 2003). The brain region, including hippocampus, not only plays a major role in memory and learning, but produces neurons during the process of growing.…”

High-Mobility Group Box 1, Oxidative Stress, and Disease

“…Curcumin acts as a free radical scavenger and antioxidant, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage (200). Curcumin inhibited PMA-mediated activation of ERK and NF-kB transcriptional activity (121).…”