Protective Role of Curcumin against N-Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)-Induced Toxicity in Rats

The present investigation was aimed at studying the possible role of curcumin against N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)-induced toxicity in albino rats. Administration of NDEA to rats at a concentration of 0.1 mg/ml in drinking water ad libitum for 21 days produced toxicity in them, which was evident from histopathological changes in the rat livers, and increased levels of blood serum enzyme markers, i.e. aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase. In addition, the levels of oxidative stress markers like lipid peroxidation (LPO), protein carbonyl (PCC), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity were elevated and the total glutathione (GSH) content was reduced in the livers. The administration of curcumin to rats at concentrations of 10, 20, and 40 mg/ml in drinking water along with 0.1 mg/ml of NDEA for 21 days effectively suppressed NDEA-induced toxicity and also resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in the levels of blood serum enzyme markers (AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH). Moreover, LPO, PCC, and GST activity were reduced and the GSH level was increased upon the administration of curcumin along with NDEA. The results obtained for the comet assay in rat hepatocytes and blood lymphocytes showed a significant dose-dependent decrease in the mean tail length. The micronucleus assay performed on rat hepatocytes also showed a dose-dependent reduction in the frequency of micronucleated cells along with curcumin administration. These results suggest that curcumin has a protective role against NDEA-induced toxicity in albino rats.     

Curcumin attenuates spatial memory impairment by anti-oxidative,anti-apoptosis,and anti-inflammatory mechanism against methamphetamine neurotoxicity in male Wistar rats: Histological and biochemical changes

ObjectiveMethamphetamine is used extensively around the world as a psychostimulant. The complications related to methamphetamine include methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity, mainly involving intraneuronal processes, such as oxidative stress and excitotoxicity. Curcumin is effective against neuronal injury due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we examined the protective effects of curcumin against methamphetamine neurotoxicity.MethodsSixty male Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: control (n = 12), DMSO (n = 12), methamphetamine (n = 12), and methamphetamine + curcumin (100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively, intraperitoneal [IP]; n = 12). Neurotoxicity was induced by 40 mg/kg of methamphetamine administrated through 4 injections (4 × 10 mg/kg, q2h, IP). Curcumin (100 and 200 mg/kg) was administered at 7 days after the last methamphetamine injection. By using a Morris water maze task, the hippocampus-dependent memory and spatial learning were evaluated 1 day after the last curcumin injection. Then, the animal brains were isolated for biochemical measurements, as well as glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), ionized calcium-binding adaptor protein-1(Iba-1) and caspase-3 immunohistochemical staining.ResultsThe current study demonstrated that administration of curcumin significantly attenuates spatial memory impairment (P < 0.01) following methamphetamine neurotoxicity. Curcumin caused a significant increase in the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.05). However, it decreased tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) (P < 0.05) and malondialdehyde (P < 0.01) levels as compared to the methamphetamine group. Also, curcumin significantly reduced Iba-1 (P < 0. 01), GFAP and caspase-3 positive cells in the hippocampus (P < 0.001).ConclusionCurcumin exerted neuroprotective effects on methamphetamine neurotoxicity because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect.     

Effects of curcuminoids on inflammatory status in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundNonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) is a highly prevalent disease that is closely associated with several cardiometabolic complications. The potential anti-inflammatory role of curcuminoids that have already been reported to reduce hepatic steatosis, in patients with NAFLD was explored in this study.MethodsThis double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted for a period of 8 weeks in patients with NAFLD. Subjects (n = 55) were randomly allocated to receive either curcuminoids or placebo. The curcuminoids group received one capsule containing 500 mg curcuminoids (plus 5 mg piperine to increase intestinal absorption) per day for 8 weeks and the control group received matched placebo capsules for the same period. Liver ultrasonography was performed to assess the severity of hepatic steatosis at baseline and the study end. Serum levels of cytokines including interleukin-1α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interferon γ, vascular endothelial growth factor and epidermal growth factor were measured before and after the intervention.ResultsThe two groups were comparable in demographic features at baseline. The results showed that supplementation with curcuminoids could decrease weight compared to the placebo group (p = 0.016) in patients with NAFLD. Curcuminoids supplementation improved the severity of NAFLD according to the ultrasound results (p = 0.002). Moreover, serum concentrations of TNF-α (p = 0.024), MCP-1 (p = 0.008) and EGF (p = 0.0001) were improved by curcuminoids in NAFLD patients.ConclusionsThe results of our study showed that curcumin supplementation can improve serum levels of inflammatory cytokines in subjects with NAFLD and this might be at least partly responsible for the anti-steatotic effects of curcuminoids.     

姜黄素抗肝纤维化的实验研究

目的:探讨姜黄素的抗肝纤维化作用。方法:将大鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型组、高、中、低3个剂量姜黄素组和阳性对照组,用皮下注射CC l4法诱导大鼠肝纤维化。测量并计算肝脏指数;测定各组大鼠ALT及AST活性以评价肝功能;同时观察各组大鼠肝脏形态学变化。结果:模型组大鼠肝脏指数均明显低于正常对照组(P<0.01),姜黄素治疗组大鼠肝脏指数明显高于模型组大鼠(P<0.05)。与正常组大鼠比较,模型组大鼠肝脏AST和ALT均显著升高(P<0.01),给予姜黄素治疗后,各治疗组大鼠肝脏AST和ALT活性均显著下降(P<0.05)。HE染色及M asson三色染色显示,秋水仙碱治疗组及各剂量姜黄素治疗组可见肝损伤病变明显减轻,纤维组织增生程度也明显轻于模型组。结论:姜黄素能明显减轻CC l4所致肝损伤,保护肝脏正常结构和功能,延缓肝纤维化。     

姜黄素对糖尿病大鼠肾脏病变的作用及对肾脏Smad7表达的影响

目的　探讨姜黄素对糖尿病大鼠肾脏病变的作用及对肾脏Smad7蛋白表达的影响。方法　诱导大鼠糖尿病后 ,随机分为对照组及治疗组 ,比较各组的血生化、尿微量白蛋白排泄量、肾脏病理改变及Smad7的免疫组化。结果　糖尿病大鼠内生肌酐清除率 (Ccr)、尿微量白蛋白 (mAlb)排泄量较正常鼠增多 ,系膜基质增生 ,Smad7表达明显下降 ;姜黄素治疗能明显降低Ccr (P <0 0 5 ) ,减少Alb排泄量 (P <0 0 5 ) ,抑制系膜基质增生 ,上调Smad7的表达 (P <0 0 5 )。结论　姜黄素对糖尿病肾病具有明显疗效 ,其机制至少部分是通过上调Smad7的表达 ,拮抗转化生长因子 β的作用 ,从而抑制肾脏纤维化。     

姜黄素对大鼠早期肝缺血再灌注损伤肺的保护作用

目的 探讨姜黄素对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注早期损伤(再灌注1、3 h)肺的保护作用.方法 将大鼠随机分为假手术组(A组)、对照组(B组)和实验组(C组).通过检测再灌注早期肺组织病理学的改变及肺组织中SOD、CAT、MDA、MPO的含量来评价姜黄素对大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤肺的保护作用.结果 姜黄素可减少大鼠肝缺血再灌注损伤肺间隔的水肿和肺泡中红细胞和白细胞的渗出.姜黄素提高了早期缺血再灌注后肺组织中SOD、CAT含量,降低了肺组织中MDA、MPO含量.结论 姜黄素通过抑制肺组织中的氧自由基的生成及中性粒细胞的浸润,从而在早期大鼠肝缺血再灌注损伤中起到了对肺的保护.     

姜黄素对氯化铝染毒的NG108 - 15细胞凋亡及PKC - NMDAR通路表达的影响

目的 探讨姜黄素对氯化铝染毒所致NG108 - 15细胞凋亡的影响及其机制,为铝致学习记忆损伤的治疗提供参考。方法 取对数生长期NG108 - 15细胞,随机分为空白对照组、DMSO组（溶剂对照）、姜黄素组（16 μmol/L姜黄素）、铝组（160 mg/L氯化铝染毒 ）、铝+姜黄素组（160 mg/L氯化铝染毒24 h后,给予16 μmol/L姜黄素处理24 h）。收集各组细胞,采用吖啶橙/嗅化乙锭（AO/EB）双荧光染色观察细胞凋亡形态,计数凋亡细胞数并计算凋亡率;流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率, qRT - PCR检测细胞中PKC、NMDAR1、NMDAR2B 的mRNA表达水平,western blot检测细胞中凋亡相关蛋白（caspase3、Bax）和PKC、NMDAR1、NMDAR2B的蛋白表达水平。多组间均数的比较采用单因素方差分析（one - way ANOVA）,组间两样本均数的比较采用LSD法。结果 与空白对照组相比,铝染毒组的caspase3、Bax蛋白表达水平升高（t = - 5.547、 - 4.948,P＜0.001）,PKC、NMDAR1、NMDAR2B的mRNA（t = 4.926,P = 0.003;t = 6.330,P＜0.001;t = 4.224,P = 0.019）和蛋白（t = 20.638,P＜0.001;t = 4.509,P＜0.001;t = 17.388,P = 0.002）表达水平降低, AO/EB染色和流式细胞术结果均表明细胞凋亡率升高（t = - 5.153、 - 7.390,P＜0.001）;加入姜黄素处理后,与铝染毒组相比,铝+姜黄素组的caspase3、Bax蛋白表达水平降低（t = 2.930,P = 0.006;t = 4.907,P＜0.001）,PKC、NMDAR1、NMDAR2B 的mRNA（t = - 10.337、 - 6.621、 - 6.847,P＜0.001）和蛋白（t = - 30.551、 - 7.451、 - 26.294,P＜0.001）表达水平升高,AO/EB染色和流式细胞术结果均表明细胞凋亡率降低（t = 2.707,P = 0.01;t = 4.632,P＜0.001）。结论 上调PKC - NMDAR信号通路表达,可能是姜黄素减轻氯化铝染毒所致NG108 - 15细胞凋亡的机制之一。     

Capsaicin-like activity of some natural pungent substances on peripheral endings of visceral primary afferents

Summary 1. The effects of some naturally occurring pungent substances, piperine, mustard oil, eugenol and curcumin, were compared to those of capsaicin in the rat isolated urinary bladder. 2. All test compounds dose-dependently contracted the rat bladder and produced desensitization toward capsaicin (1 mol/l). Development of cross-tachyphylaxis among the natural pungent substances on one hand and capsaicin on the other, suggested a common site of action on visceral primary afferents. 3. Contractile responses to piperine, mustard oil and eugenol were partially tetrodotoxin and ruthenium red-sensitive, suggesting that activation of sensory terminals by these agents takes place indirectly, as well as by a direct action on sensory receptors. 4. The presence of the secondary acylamide linkage (present in the backbone of capsaicin, but not in that of test compounds) does not appear to be essential to produce desensitization of sensory nerve terminals. Send offprint requests to R. Patacchini at the above address     

姜红止痛搽剂的质量标准

目的 建立姜红止痛搽剂的质量标准。方法 采用薄层色谱法(TLC)对制剂中的姜黄、红花、乳香、没药进行定性鉴别；采用高效液相色谱法(HPLC)测定制剂中姜黄素的含量。结果 TLC分离效果好，斑点清晰；姜黄素含量在0．07-0．35μg范围内，线性关系良好(r=0．9993)，平均回收率为99．92％，RSD=1．67％(n=5)。结论 所用方法专属性强、重复性好，可用于该制剂的质量控制。     

姜黄素对长波紫外线所致DNA损伤的拮抗作用

目的　观察长波紫外线引起人表皮样癌细胞 DNA链断裂损伤的情况 ,以及姜黄素对这种损伤的拮抗作用。方法　用长波紫外线照射细胞 ,用单细胞凝胶电泳法检测 DNA损伤。结果　长波紫外线剂量依赖性地诱发表皮细胞的 DNA链断裂损伤 ,损伤的高峰出现在照射后 1h。而姜黄素可以拮抗长波紫外线引起的DNA链断裂 ,表现为彗星细胞百分比的降低和彗星尾巴长度的缩短 ,并有量效关系。结论　姜黄素可以预防长波紫外线照射引起的皮肤细胞 DNA链断裂损伤。