Objective: evaluate the impact of acute Cu intoxication (10 mg/kg B.W. i.p) for 3 days on the dopaminergic system and locomotor performance, together with the possible restorative effect of oral administration of curcumin (30 mg/kg B.W.)

Background: Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. The classic motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease result from progressive dopaminergic neurons death within substantia nigra. Some finding support the involvement of heavy metals, as an exogenous risk factor such as copper (Cu), excessive levels of this element are responsible for profound physiological alterations including the central nervous system. Whereas, different pharmacological trials have shown a beneficial role against Cu neurotoxicity, curcumin (Curcuma longa) is one of the powerful medicinal plants with an array of therapeutic effects.

Methods: Behavioral study (open field) and Immunohistochemistry

Results: we noted, in the Cu intoxicated rats, a significant loss of TH (tyrosine hydroxylase) expression within substantia nigra compacta (SNc), ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the subsequent striatal outputs, those alterations were correlated to behavioral abnormalities such as a severe drop of locomotor performance. While curcumin administration to Cu intoxicated rats showed a noticeable beneficial effect; this potential was featured by a complete recovery of the TH expression and locomotor behavior deficiencies in the intoxicated rats.

Conclusions: The present investigation have brought, on the one hand, an experimental evidence of an altered dopaminergic innervations following Cu intoxication and on the other hand, a new pharmacological property of curcumin that may be used as a neuroprotective plant for neurodegenerative disorders touching the dopaminergic system trigged by heavy metals.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/curcumin-i-protect-against-copper-induced-neurobehavioral-features-of-parkinsons-disease-in-rat/