Curcumin and its analog alleviate diabetes-induced damages by regulating inflammation and oxidative stress in brain of diabetic rats​

Abstract

Background: Diabetic encephalopathy is a severe diabetes complication with cognitive dysfunction and neuropsychiatric disability. The mechanisms underlying diabetic encephalopathy is believed to be relevant with oxidative stress, vascular amylin deposition, immune receptors, inflammation, etc. This study wanted to evaluate the ability of curcumin and its analog A13 to alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation in diabetes-induced damages in brain. Methods: Sixty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups: normal control (NC) group, diabetes mellitus (DM) group, curcumin-treated diabetes mellitus (CUR) group, high dose of A13-treated diabetes mellitus (HA) group, low dose of A13-treated diabetes mellitus (LA) group. Activation of the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB p65) pathway was detected by RT-qPCR, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining and Western blot; oxidative stress was detected by biochemical detection kit; brain tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining and Myelin staining. Results: RT-qPCR, IHC staining and Western blot showed that curcumin and A13 treatment could inhibit the NF-κB p65 pathway. Curcumin and A13 increased the activity of superoxide dismutase and decreased the malondialdehyde level in the brain of diabetic rats. Furthermore, HE staining and Myelin staining demonstrated that the histological lesions of the brain in diabetic rats could be significantly ameliorated by curcumin and A13.Conclusion: Curcumin analog A13 could alleviate the damages in the brain of diabetes rats by regulating the pathways of inflammation and oxidative stress. A13 may be a new potential therapeutic agent for diabetic encephalopathy.

Effects of curcumin, a bioactive component of turmeric, on type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications: an updated review

“…49 Similarly, other studies revealed that curcumin decreased oxidative stress and inflammation via different pathways. [50][51][52] Based on all the animal studies, diabetic patients receiving curcumin support had an improvement in their metabolic parameters. Curcumin shows anti-diabetic effects with its properties such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-hyperglycaemic, and anti-hyperlipidaemic.…”

“…It was found that curcumin can improve diabetic complexities by modulating a range of critical signal steps in disease prognosis and reducing pro-inflammatory and proapoptotic cytokines and transcription factors such as TNF-α and NF-κB. 51 It is well known that both hyperglycemia and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) can lead to tissue oxidative stress, causing loss of homeostasis. The protective effect of curcumin against the formation of diabetes-induced AGEs was first demonstrated in 1998.…”

“…49 Similarly, other studies revealed that curcumin decreased oxidative stress and inflammation via different pathways. 50–52…”

“…It was found that curcumin can improve diabetic complexities by modulating a range of critical signal steps in disease prognosis and reducing pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic cytokines and transcription factors such as TNF-α and NF-κB. 51…”