Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of curcumin against rotenone-induced memory impairments in rat PD model.

Background: In PD, oxidative stress has been stated to induce cognitive dysfunction. Rotenone-induced animal model mimicked characteristics features of PD including oxidative stress. So, therapeutic interventions that can prevent free radicals mediated neurodegeneration by inhibiting free radical production may be useful in preventing disease progression. Curcumin a natural occurring polyphenolic antioxidant and exhibits neuroprotection against different neurodegenerative diseases.

Methods: Adult male rats were administered subcutaneously with rotenone (1.5 mg/kg/day) for 8 days in order to develop PD-like symptoms. After the development of PD-like symptoms curcumin (100 mg/kg/day, p.o) was administered in respective group for two weeks. Cognitive functions were monitored by the morris water maze test (MWM) and novel object recognition task (NOR). Biochemical and neurochemical estimations were done in brain.

Results: Results showed that rotenone administration significantly (p<0.01) induced memory impairment in behavioral parameters and as well as significantly (p<0.01) produced oxidative stress as evident by increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) and decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) levels as compared to controls. Moreover, rotenone significantly (p<0.01) decreased dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels. Curcumin treatment significantly improved memory acquisition by significantly (p<0.01) decreased LPO and increased GSH levels. Curcumin significantly increased DA and 5-HT levels as compared to rotenone alone group (p<0.01).

Conclusions: Hence, our result indicated that curcumin exhibits antioxidant activity against rotenone-induced cognitive impairment. The findings of the present study strongly suggest that cognitive improving effect of curcumin might be attributed to its antioxidant properties.

References: 1) Sriraksa N, Wattanathorn J, Muchimapura S, Tiamkao S, Brown K, Chaisiwamongkol K (2012) Cognitive-enhancing effect of quercetin in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease induced by 6-hydroxydopamine. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2012:823206. 2) Madiha S, Tabassum S, Batool Z, Liaquat L, Sadir S, Shahzad S, Perveen T, Haider S (2017) Assessment of gait dynamics in rotenone-induced rat model of Parkinson’s disease by footprint method. Pak J Pharm Sci 30:943-948.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/curcumin-improves-cognitive-function-in-rotenone-induced-rat-model-of-parkinsons-disease-pd/