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Current Neurovascular Research

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1567-2026
ISSN (Online): 1875-5739

Research Article

Curcumin Reduces Neuronal Loss and Inhibits the NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation in an Epileptic Rat Model

Author(s): Qianchao He, Lingfei Jiang, Shanshan Man, Lin Wu, Yueqiang Hu and Wei Chen*

Volume 15, Issue 3, 2018

Page: [186 - 192] Pages: 7

DOI: 10.2174/1567202615666180731100224

open access plus

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder affecting an estimated 50 million people worldwide. Emerging evidences have accumulated over the past decades supporting the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Curcumin is a nature-derived active molecule demonstrating anti-inflammation efficacy. However, its effects on epilepsy and corresponding mechanisms remain elusive.

Objective: To investigate the effects of curcumin on epilepsy and its underlying mechanism.

Method: Forty Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: (1) control group; (2) Kainic Acid (KA)-induced epilepsy group; (3) curcumin group; and (4) curcumin pretreatment before KA stimulation group. Morris water maze was utilized to assess the effect of curcumin on KA-induced epilepsy. The hippocampi were obtained from rats and subjected to western blot. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

Results: Rats received curcumin demonstrated improvement of recognition deficiency and epilepsy syndromes induced by KA. Western blot showed that KA stimulation increased the expression of IL-1β and NLRP3, which were reduced by curcumin treatment. Further investigations revealed that curcumin inhibited the activation of NLPR3/inflammasome in epilepsy and reduced neuronal loss in hippocampus.

Conclusion: Curcumin inhibits KA-induced epileptic syndromes via suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome activation; therefore, offers a potential therapy for epilepsy.

Keywords: Curcumin, recognition deficits, kainic acid induced epilepsy, NLRP3 inflammasomes, neuronal activity, inflammation.


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