Curcumin induced up-regulation of Myelin basic protein (MBP) ameliorates sodium arsenite induced neurotoxicity in developing rat cerebellum

Abstract

IntroductionThe aim of the present study is to evaluate the modulatory role of Curcumin on cerebellar Myelin basic protein (MBP) expression and associated behavioral parameters by histochemistry and Morris Water Maze (MWM) following exposure of rat pups to sodium arsenite (NaAsO2). MethodsAfter obtaining the ethical clearance, pregnant Wistar rats were issued from the Central Animal Facility (CAF) and maintained according to the guidelines of Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA). The day of birth of pups was designated as postnatal day zero (PND 0). Mother reared pups were divided into: control (normal, sham) and experimental groups receiving NaAsO2 alone or NaAsO2 with Curcumin via intraperitoneal route (i.p.) from PND 1 to 21. Morris Water Maze (MWM) test was carried out on PND 21 to assess the exploratory behavior of the animals. Luxol Fast Blue staining and immuno-localization of MBP was carried out to evaluate the status of myelination in the cerebellar white matter. ResultsAnimals subjected to combined exposure to Curcumin and NaAsO2 showed improved exploratory behavior besides maintenance of myelin structure and up-regulation of MBP expression in the cerebellar white matter. DiscussionThe up-regulation of cerebellar MBP expression together with improved exploratory behavior of animals subjected to combined exposure to Curcumin and arsenic (iAs) provides the experimental evidence for mechanistic role of Curcumin in ameliorating NaAsO2 induced neurotoxicity, probably based on the essential properties of Curcumin such as scavenging free radicals and chelation of arsenic.