Curcumin has neuroprotection effect on homocysteine rat model of Parkinson

J Mol Neurosci. 2012 Jun;47(2):234-42. doi: 10.1007/s12031-012-9727-3. Epub 2012 Mar 15.

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder which is emanated by dopaminergic death cell and depletion. Curcumin as a nontoxic matter has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative activities, and it involves antioxidant property same to vitamins C and E. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective properties of the natural polyphenolic antioxidant compound, curcumin, against homocysteine (Hcy) neurotoxicity. Curcumin (50 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) once daily for a period of 10 days beginning 5 days prior to Hcy (2 μmol/μl) intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection in rats. The studies included immunohistological and locomotor activity tests. These results suggest that homocysteine intracerebroventricular administration (2 μmol/μl i.c.v.) may induce changes in rat brain, and subsequently, polyphenol treatment curcumin 50 mg/kg (i.p.) was capable in improving locomotor function in insulted animal by protecting the nervous system against homocysteine toxicity.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / pathology
  • Curcumin / metabolism*
  • Curcumin / pharmacology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Interactions
  • Homocysteine / metabolism
  • Homocysteine / toxicity*
  • Male
  • Neuroprotective Agents / metabolism*
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / chemically induced
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / pathology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antioxidants
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Homocysteine
  • Curcumin