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

Abstract

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 (As2O3) in the mouse striatal region. Healthy adult male mice were chronically administered with varying concentrations of As2O3 (2, 4 and 8mg/kg bw) alone and along with CUR (100mg/kg bw) orally for 45days.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. Behavioural study showed an apparent decrease in certain cognitive functions (learning and memory) and locomotor activity in mice exposed to As2O3 compared to controls. Simultaneous treatment of As2O3 (2, 4 and 8mg/kg bw) and curcumin (100mg/kg bw) alleviated the As-induced locomotor and cognitive deficits. As2O3 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 As2O3 (4 and 8mg/kg bw). However, these changes were reversed in mice who received As2O3 + CUR co-treatment. Collectively, our findings indicate that curcumin offers neuroprotection to the striatal region against As2O3-induced behavioral deficits, as well as biochemical and morphological alterations.