Ahmad Arbabi Jahan1, Abolfazl Rad2, Mustafa Ghanbarabadi2, Bahareh Amin3, Mohammad Mohammad-Zadeh4. 1. Student Research Committee, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran; Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran. 2. Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran. 3. Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran. 4. Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, 9177948564, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address: Mohammadzadehmh@mums.ac.ir.
Abstract
AIM: Curcumin, derived from turmeric, has been demonstrated to be effective in controlling seizures, although the exact mechanism is yet unknown. In this study, the role of serotonin and its receptors in the anticonvulsant effect of curcumin was evaluated in mice. MAIN METHODS: Total 110 mice were randomly divided into 11 groups (n = 10). In the first to the fourth groups, the role of curcumin (150 mg/kg, i.p) and serotonin (PCPA (100 mg/kg); was used to deplete the brain serotonin levels) was investigated. The fifth group first received NAD-299 (4 mg/kg, sc), RS-102221 (5 mg/kg, i.p), SDZ205-557 Hydrochloride (1 mg/kg, i.p), and SB 26997 (10 mg/kg, i.p), then curcumin. The sixth group received NAD-299, curcumin. The animals in the seventh to ninth groups received 5-HT2C, 5-HT4, and 5-HT7 antagonists, respectively, with curcumin. The tenth group received HTR2C antagonist and the eleventh group received HTR4 antagonist. In all animals 25 min after curcumin PTZ (80 mg/kg; i.p) was injected. KEY FINDINGS: PCPA not only inhibited the anticonvulsant action of curcumin, but also reversed some of its anticonvulsant effect. The 5-HT1A, 5-HT2C and 5-HT4 antagonists diminished but 5-HT7 antagonist strengthened the anticonvulsant effect of curcumin. Evaluation of gene expression using real-time PCR confirmed that only 5-HT7 gene expression was reduced after curcumin injection. SIGNIFICANCE: According to these results, it may be suggested that curcumin exerts anticonvulsive effects by increasing the serotonin levels in the brain that influence receptors, including 5-HT1A, 5-HT2C, and 5-HT4 and likely through the reduction of 5-HT7 gene expression.
AIM: Curcumin, derived from turmeric, has been demonstrated to be effective in controlling seizures, although the exact mechanism is yet unknown. In this study, the role of serotonin and its receptors in the anticonvulsant effect of curcumin was evaluated in mice. MAIN METHODS: Total 110 mice were randomly divided into 11 groups (n = 10). In the first to the fourth groups, the role of curcumin (150 mg/kg, i.p) and serotonin (PCPA (100 mg/kg); was used to deplete the brain serotonin levels) was investigated. The fifth group first received NAD-299 (4 mg/kg, sc), RS-102221 (5 mg/kg, i.p), SDZ205-557 Hydrochloride (1 mg/kg, i.p), and SB 26997 (10 mg/kg, i.p), then curcumin. The sixth group received NAD-299, curcumin. The animals in the seventh to ninth groups received 5-HT2C, 5-HT4, and 5-HT7 antagonists, respectively, with curcumin. The tenth group received HTR2C antagonist and the eleventh group received HTR4 antagonist. In all animals 25 min after curcumin PTZ (80 mg/kg; i.p) was injected. KEY FINDINGS:PCPA not only inhibited the anticonvulsant action of curcumin, but also reversed some of its anticonvulsant effect. The 5-HT1A, 5-HT2C and 5-HT4 antagonists diminished but 5-HT7 antagonist strengthened the anticonvulsant effect of curcumin. Evaluation of gene expression using real-time PCR confirmed that only 5-HT7 gene expression was reduced after curcumin injection. SIGNIFICANCE: According to these results, it may be suggested that curcumin exerts anticonvulsive effects by increasing the serotonin levels in the brain that influence receptors, including 5-HT1A, 5-HT2C, and 5-HT4 and likely through the reduction of 5-HT7 gene expression.