Effects of curcumin on the dorsal root ganglion structure and functional recovery after sciatic nerve crush in rat

Abstract

BackgroundCurcumin has protective effects on a variety of CNS injury models. Our purpose was to assess the effects of curcumin on the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and functional recovery in sciatic nerve crush (SNC) of rats. MethodsThe fifth lumbar DRG was removed 28 days after SNC. Sciatic functional index (SFI) and also the DRG structure were evaluated, using stereological methods to assess the effects of curcumin. ResultsThe volume and number of A- and B-cells were reduced in the SNC as compared with the sham-operated animals. In curcumin treated rats, the volume decreased but in a lesser extent and it was ∼10% and ∼15% higher on the average in comparison with the non-treated SNC (P<0.04). In curcumin treated rats, the number of cells also decreased but in a lesser extent and it was ∼17% and ∼36% higher in comparison with the non-treated crushed animals (P<0.02).The surface area of A- and B-cells reduced in the SNC and SNC plus curcumin in comparison with the sham-operated rats (P<0.01). The number of satellite cells was reduced in the SNC as compared with the sham-operated animals. In curcumin treated rats, the number of satellite cells decreased but in a lesser extent and the number of satellite cells was ∼19% higher in comparison with the non-treated (P<0.02). SFI test shows that the motor function of the rats treated with curcumin significantly improved at 21st days after sciatic nerve crush. ConclusionThe results demonstrate that curcumin promotes the functional recovery and has a neuroprotective effect on the DRG after sciatic nerve injury in the rats.