Suppression of neuroinflammatory and apoptotic signaling cascade by curcumin alone and in combination with piperine in rat model of olfactory bulbectomy induced depression.

OBJECTIVES:Bilateral destruction of the olfactory bulbs is known to cause behavioral changes analogous to symptoms of depression. Curcumin, a traditional Indian spice is currently being investigated in different psychiatric problems including depression. Dietary phytochemicals are currently used as an adjuvant therapy to accelerate their therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, the present study is an attempt to elucidate the neuroprotective mechanism of curcumin and its co-administration with piperine against olfactory bulbectomy induced depression in rats. METHODS:Rats undergone olfactory bulbs ablations were analyzed after post-surgical rehabilitation period of 2 weeks. Animals were then treated with different doses of curcumin (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg; p.o.), piperine (20 mg/kg; p.o.) and their combination daily for another 2 weeks. Imipramine (10 mg/kg; i.p.) served as a standard control. Various behavioral tests like forced swim test (FST), open field behaviour and sucrose preference test (SPT) were performed, followed by estimation of biochemical, mitochondrial, molecular and histopathological parameters in rat brain. RESULTS:Ablation of olfactory bulbs caused depression-like symptoms as evidenced by increased immobility time in FST, hyperactivity in open field arena, and anhedonic like response in SPT along with alterations in mitochondrial enzyme complexes, increased serum corticosterone levels and oxidative damage. These deficits were integrated with increased inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α) and apoptotic factor (caspase-3) levels along with a marked reduction in neurogenesis factor (BDNF) in the brain of olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) rats. Curcumin treatment significantly and dose-dependently restored all these behavioral, biochemical, mitochondrial, molecular and histopathological alterations associated with OBX induced depression. Further, co-administration of piperine with curcumin significantly potentiated their neuroprotective effects as compared to their effects alone. CONCLUSIONS:The present study highlights that curcumin along with piperine exhibits neuroprotection against olfactory bulbectomy induced depression possibly by modulating oxidative-nitrosative stress induced neuroinflammation and apoptosis

Update on Cognitive Disorders: Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Managements

The 34th Annual Meeting of the Australasian Neuroscience Society (ANS-2014) was held in Adelaide,Australia, from January 28-31, 2014. The conference was held in the spacious, modern and centrally-located Adelaide Convention Centre in Australia's most livable city, Adelaide. The primary objectives of the meeting were to define and describe contributions of cognitive neuroscience, the relevance of synaptic plasticity to neuropsychiatry and to facilitate the worldwide advancement of neurochemistry and related neuroscience. The present brief report highlights a comprehensive outlook and addresses some of the cellular and molecularaspects, recent developments and challenges in the field of cognitive disorders. The conference was made up of the familiar mix of lectures, symposia, oral and poster presentations and socio-cultural programs

Pharmacological investigation of memory restorative effect of riluzole in mice

Objective: Streptozotocin (STZ) and sodium nitrite (NaNO 2 ) treatment have been positively correlated with higher incidence of memory loss and experimental dementia. The present study was designed to investigate the potential of the Riluzole, an inhibitor of glutamatergic neurotransmission and activator of TWIK-Related K + channels with incidences of memory deficits associated with dementia in mice. Materials and Methods: Dementia was induced in Swiss albino mice by intracerebroventricular STZ (ICV) and by subcutaneous NaNO 2 in separate groups of animals. Morris water maze was employed to assess learning and memory of the animals. Biochemical analysis of brain homogenate was performed so as to assess brain acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) activity. Brain thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) levels and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were measured to assess total oxidative stress. Results: Treatment of ICV STZ and NaNO 2 produced a significant decrease in water maze performance of mice hence reflecting loss of learning and memory. Furthermore, higher levels of brain AChE activity and oxidative stress were observed in these animals. Administration of riluzole (5 and 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally) successfully attenuated memory deficits as well as ICV STZ- and NaNO 2 -induced changes in the levels of brain AChE, TBARS, and GSH. Conclusion: The memory restorative effects of riluzole in dementia may involve its multiple functions including anti-oxidative and anticholinesterase properties

AKVANO (R) : A Novel Lipid Formulation System for Topical Drug Delivery-In Vitro Studies

A novel formulation technology called AKVANO (R) has been developed with the aim to provide a tuneable and versatile drug delivery system for topical administration. The vehicle is based on a water-free lipid formulation where selected lipids, mainly phospholipids rich in phosphatidylcholine, are dissolved in a volatile solvent, such as ethanol. With the aim of describing the basic properties of the system, the following physicochemical methods were used: viscometry, dynamic light scattering, NMR diffusometry, and atomic force microscopy. AKVANO formulations are non-viscous, with virtually no or very minute aggregates formed, and when applied to the skin, e.g., by spraying, a thin film consisting of lipid bilayer structures is formed. Standardized in vitro microbiological and irritation tests show that AKVANO formulations meet criteria for antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities and, at the same time, are being investigated as a non-irritant to the skin and eye. The ethanol content in AKVANO facilitates incorporation of many active pharmaceutical ingredients (>80 successfully tested) and the phospholipids seem to act as a solubilizer in the formulation. In vitro skin permeation experiments using Strat-M (R) membranes have shown that AKVANO formulations can be designed to alter the penetration of active ingredients by changing the lipid composition

Stress: Neurobiology, consequences and management

Stress, both physical and psychological, is attracting increasing attention among neuroresearchers. In the last 20 decades, there has been a surge of interest in the research of stress-induced manifestations and this approach has resulted in the development of more appropriate animal models for stress-associated pathologies and its therapeutic management. These stress models are an easy and convenient method for inducing both psychological and physical stress. To understand the behavioral changes underlying major depression, molecular and cellular studies are required. Dysregulation of the stress system may lead to disturbances in growth and development, and may this may further lead to the development of various other psychiatric disorders. This article reviews the different types of stress and their neurobiology, including the different neurotransmitters affected. There are various complications associated with stress and their management through various pharmacological and non-pharmacological techniques. The use of herbs in the treatment of stress-related problems is practiced in both Indian and Western societies, and it has a vast market in terms of anti-stress medications and treatments. Non-pharmacological techniques such as meditation and yoga are nowadays becoming very popular as a stress-relieving therapy because of their greater effectiveness and no associated side effects. Therefore, this review highlights the changes under stress and stressor and their impact on different animal models in understanding the mechanisms of stress along with their effective and safe management

Effect of curcumin, piperine and their combination on open field performance task.

<p>Values are expressed as mean ± SEM. For statistical significance,</p>a<p>P<0.05 as compared to sham group;</p>b<p>P<0.05 as compared to OBX control;</p>c<p>P<0.05 as compared to OBX+C1;</p>d<p>P<0.05 as compared to OBX+C2;</p>e<p>P<0.05 as compared to OBX+P (One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test). OBX, Olfactory Bulbectomy; C1, curcumin (100 mg/kg); C2, curcumin (200 mg/kg); C3, curcumin (400 mg/kg); P, piperine (20 mg/kg); I, imipramine (10 mg/kg).</p

Effect of curcumin, piperine and their co-administration on mitochondrial enzyme complex I and II activities.

<p>Values are expressed as mean <i>±</i> SEM. For statistical significance, ^a<i>P<</i>0.05 as compared to sham group; ^b<i>P<</i>0.05 as compared to OBX control;^c<i>P<</i>0.05 as compared to OBX+C1; ^d<i>P<</i>0.05 as compared to OBX+C2; ^e<i>P<</i>0.05 as compared to OBX+P (One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s test). OBX, Olfactory Bulbectomy; C1, curcumin (100 mg/kg); C2, curcumin (200 mg/kg); C3, curcumin (400 mg/kg); P, piperine (20 mg/kg); I, imipramine (10 mg/kg).</p