Curcumin alleviates arsenic trioxide-induced neural damage in the murine striatal region.

RATIONALE

Arsenic-induced neurotoxicity, with dose-dependent effects, is well-documented in rodents. Curcumin (CUR), a cost-effective plant polyphenol, shows neuroprotective effects by modulating oxidative stress, apoptosis, and neurochemistry. This study evaluates curcumin's neuroprotective potential against arsenic trioxide (AsO) in the mouse striatal region.

METHODS

Healthy adult male mice were chronically administered with varying concentrations of AsO (2, 4 and 8 mg/kg bw) alone and along with CUR (100 mg/kg bw) orally for 45 days. Towards the end of the experimental period, the animals were subjected to behavioural paradigms including open field task, novel object recognition, rota-rod, and Morris water maze. Striatal tissues were freshly collected from the animals on day 46 for biochemical analyses (MDA, GPx, and GSH). Additionally, perfusion-fixed brains were processed for morphological observations.

RESULTS

Behavioural study showed an apparent decrease in certain cognitive functions (learning and memory) and locomotor activity in mice exposed to AsO compared to controls. Simultaneous treatment of AsO (2, 4 and 8 mg/kg bw) and curcumin (100 mg/kg bw) alleviated the As-induced locomotor and cognitive deficits. AsO alone exposure also exhibited a significant increase in oxidative stress marker (MDA) and a decrease in antioxidant enzyme levels (GPx, GSH). Morphological alterations were noted in mice subjected to elevated doses of AsO (4 and 8 mg/kg bw). However, these changes were reversed in mice who received AsO + CUR co-treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, our findings indicate that curcumin offers neuroprotection to the striatal region against AsO-induced behavioral deficits, as well as biochemical and morphological alterations.