curcumin and Bipolar-Disorder

Curcumin is a polyphenolic nonflavonoid compound extracted from the rhizome of turmeric (Curcuma longa), a plant commonly used in Indian and Chinese traditional medicine to treat rheumatism, cough, inflammation and wounds. Curcumin putative targets, known based on studies of diverse central nervous system disorders other than bipolar disorders (BD) include several proteins currently implicated in the pathophysiology of BD. These targets include, but are not limited to, transcription factors activated by environmental stressors and pro-inflammatory cytokines, protein kinases (PKA, PKC), enzymes, growth factors, inflammatory mediators, and anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-XL). Herein, we review previous studies on the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of curcumin and discuss its therapeutic potential in BD.

Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Bipolar Disorder; Brain; Curcumin; Cytokines; Humans; Immunologic Factors; Models, Biological; Transcription Factors

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a chronic and debilitating illness characterized by recurrent manic and depressive episodes. Our research investigates the protective effects of curcumin, the main curcuminoid of the Indian spice turmeric, in a model of mania induced by ketamine administration in rats. Our results indicated that ketamine treatment (25 mg/kg, for 8 days) induced hyperlocomotion in the open-field test and oxidative damage in prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HP), evaluated by increased lipid peroxidation and decreased total thiol content. Moreover, ketamine treatment reduced the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase in the HP. Pretreatment of rats with curcumin (20 and 50 mg/kg, for 14 days) or with lithium chloride (45 mg/kg, positive control) prevented behavioral and pro-oxidant effects induced by ketamine. These findings suggest that curcumin might be a good compound for preventive intervention in BD, reducing the episode relapse and the oxidative damage associated with the manic phase of this disorder.

Topics: Animals; Antimanic Agents; Antioxidants; Behavior, Animal; Bipolar Disorder; Catalase; Curcumin; Female; Hippocampus; Ketamine; Motor Activity; Neuroprotective Agents; Oxidative Stress; Prefrontal Cortex; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Superoxide Dismutase; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances