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Background and Objective: Lead threaten living creature’s life as air pollutant and causes several diseases such as degenerative disease of nervous system. This research was conducted to determine the effect of Curcumin on BDNF changes and oxidative/antioxidative process in rat’s hippocampus which exposed to Lead acetate.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups of ten: Base, Sham(control), lead and Curcumin+Lead. lead and Curcumin+Lead groups received 20 mg/kg lead acetate and Curcumin+Lead group also received 30 mg/kg Curcumin, peritoneally for 8 weeks (3 days in weeks). MDA (oxidative stress biomarker) and TAC (total antioxidative capacity) levels were measured by TBARS and FRAP methods, respectively, and hippocampus BDNF level was measured by ELISA method in rat hippocampus region. Data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA test and Tukey at P<0.05 level.

Results: Injection of lead acetate significantly increased MDA, non-significantly decreased hippocampus BDNF and significantly decreased TAC levels in the Lead group compared with control groups. On the other hand, curcumin administration led to non significantly decreased MDA, nonsignificantly increased BDNF and significantly increased TAC levels compared with other groups (P<0.05).

Conclusion: This study showed that Curcumin adminstration in long term lead acetate-treated male Wistar Rats did not increased BDNF of hippocampus, but it prevent the reduction of BNDF due to lead-intoxification.

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Background and Objective: Lead as an environmental pollutant can damage the immune system. This study was done to determine the effect of moderate-intensity exercise and Curcumin supplement on serum level of immunoglobulin A in rats exposed to lead acetate. Methods: In this experimental study, 46 male rats were allocated into six groups including Control (C), vehicle (V), lead (L), lead and exercise (LE), lead and curcumin (LC), Lead+exercise+curcumin (LEC). Animals in training groups ran on treadmill for 8 weeks (25- 64 minutes per daily, 15-22 meter/minute and 0% grade). Animals in Lead, LE, LC and LEC groups were received lead acetate (20 mg/kg/bw) and vehicle animals were received ethyl oleat (30 mg/kg/bw) Intraperitoneally for 3 days per week for 8 weeks. Rats in curcumin and LEC groups were received Curcumin (30mg/kg/bw), for 3 day per week for 8 weeks. IgA level were measured by single radial immuno diffusion method. Results: Lead acetate significantly increased MDA levels at P<0.05 in animals. IgA level was 0.2, 0.41 and 0.47 mg/dL in Lead, LE and LEC groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: The simultaneous use of endurance exercise training and curcumin due to increased IgA activity has beneficial effects against lead poisoning.

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Background and Objective: The consequence of excessive usage of phosphate fertilizers, in addition to the accumulation of phosphorous in excess, is to create competition with the absorption of micronutrients, especially zinc and, most importantly, the accumulation of pollutants such as cadmium in agricultural products. This study was done to determine the effect of Hydro-alcoholic extract of Curcumin on the levels of liver enzymes in rats treated with cadmium chloride.
Methods: This experimental study was done on 56 adult male Wistar rats which allocated into 8 equal groups including control group: animals in this group were received normal saline, intraperitonally. Sham: animals in this group were received olive oil, intraperitonally. Cadmium group: animals in this group were received Cadmium with dosage 1.5 mg/kg/bw, intraperitonally. Curcumin group: animals in this group were received 120 mg/kg/bw of Curcumin, intraperitonally. The interventional group 1: animals in this group were received Cadmium with dosage 1.5 mg/kg/bw, and 30 mg/kg Curcumin, intraperitonally. The interventional group 2: animals in this group were received Cadmium with dosage 1.5 mg/kg/bw and 60 mg/kg/bw of Curcumin, intraperitonally. The interventional group 3: animals in this group were received Cadmium with dosage 1.5 mg/kg/bw and 120 mg/kg/bw of Curcumin, intraperitonally. After 21 days, the rats were sacrified and the liver enzymes including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured by spectrophotometer method.
Results: The concentration of AST, ALT and ALP in cadmium group were significantly increased in compare to controls (P<0.05). The concentration of liver enzymes in Curcumin group was reduced in compare to controls (P<0.05). The enzymes concentration in the interventional groups 1, 2 and 3 were significantly reduced in compare to the cadmium group (P<0.05). The enzymes concentration in the interventional groups 1, 2 and 3 were significantly increased in compare to controls (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Hydroalcoholic Curcumin extract can reduces the increasing of liver enzymes induced by cadmium in rats.

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Background and Objective: Curcumin is a combination of active polyphenol from the Curcuma Langa plant, which has extensive biological activities including effects anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and cytotoxic markers for multiple cancer cells. Berberine is an alkaloied isokinolin that is present in berberine and suppresses the growth of many tumor cells. This study was designed to determine the antibacterial effect of berberine and indium curcumin and indium diastile curcumin complexes against E-coli and Bacillus pumilus and comparison of their cytotoxicity on the cell lines of the bladder and stomach cancer cells.
Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity effect of berberine and indium curcumin and indium diastile curcumin complexes was investigated by MTT and dilution test method respectively. E-coli [BL21 (DE 3)], Bacillus pumilus (PTCC 1529), cell lines of bladder (5637) and stomach (AGS) were evaluated.
Results: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of berberin for E-coli was determined 5 mM. At 100 micromolar concentration of berberine approximately 100% of the bladder cancer cells have disappeared. Cytotoxic effect of curcumin complexes on two bladder and stomach cancer cell lines showed that both complexes have different inhibitory effects on cell line life. Cytotoxicity of 20μM indium curcumin and indium diastile curcumin complexes for bladder cancer cells were 58% and 55%, respectively, and for stomach cancer cells were 61% and 34 %, respectively. Antibacterial activity of complexes against Bacillus pumilus and E-coli showed that none of the complexes has antimicrobial effect against Bacillus Pamilus, but both complexes inhibited the growth of E-coli bacteria. The bacteria population in the presence of indium curcumin and indium diastile curcumin complexes was reduced to 40% and 24%, respectively.
Conclusion: This study indicated that indium complexes of curcumin and diacetyl curcumin have a potential for anticancer and antibacterial therapy. Furthermore, berberine as an alkaloid has anticancer and antibacterial activity.

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Background and Objective: Physical activity and the use of herbal supplements can affect liver enzymes. Nano-curcumin is an effective ingredient (deferulovl methane) in turmeric with antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties and can play an important role in preventing liver fibrosis. This study was performed to determine the effect of 6 weeks of high intensity interval training (HIIT) with Nano-curcumin supplementation on liver enzyme levels in overweight female students.
Methods: This clinical trial study was performed on 48 overweight female students of Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran with an average age of 21.7±1.32 years and a BMI equals 27.8±2.46kg/m² during 2018. Participants were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, Nano-curcumin supplementation (One 80 mg capsule daily), training and training combined with nano-curcumin supplementation (one 80 mg capsule daily). Training groups performed an exercise protocol of HIIT training with maximum heart rate for 6 weeks (three sessions per week). Blood samples were obtained to liver enzymes measurement (ALT, AST and ALP) before and after the intervention period.
Results: Performing six weeks of high intensity interval training along with taking nano-curcumin supplemen led to a significant reduction in serum level of AST and ALT compared to control group (P<0.05). In the supplement-training group, a significant decrease was observed in serum levels of ALT and AST compared to pre-test (P<0.05). But no statistically significant changes were observed in ALP serum level.
Conclusion: It seems taking nano-curcumin supplement along with high intensity interval training have a favorable effects on improving some of the liver characteristics of overweight female students.

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Background and Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common neurological disease that increases oxidative stress and causes immune system disorders. Curcumin is the active component of turmeric with anti-inflammatory properties. This study was conducted to determine the effects of curcumin on cortisol, catalase, and nerve growth factor (NGF) expression in an animal model of MS.
Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 30 female Wistar rats. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was chosen as an experimental model of MS. The rats were divided into 3 groups of 10, including a healthy control group, an affected group, and a group treated with curcumin. The disease was induced by immunization of rats with homogenized guinea pig spinal cord and Freund's complete adjuvant. Then, the immunized animals were allocated into two equal groups. Treatment with curcumin (100 mg/kg daily) was started 12 days after the immunization when the rats showed the first symptoms of neurologic disability. The treatment was continued until day 24 post-immunization. Simultaneously, the EAE group received the medicine solvent (distilled water). Finally, the rats' weights as well as cortisol, catalase, and NGF levels were measured in the study groups.
Results: Curcumin significantly increased the level of cortisol to a level equal to that of healthy rats (P<0.05). It also significantly increased the expression of NGF and reduced the amount of catalase in the affected rats (P<0.05). The curcumin administration significantly increased the overall weight of rats with MS but had no significant effect on the spleen weight of the treated rats.
Conclusion: Curcumin can be beneficial for treating EAE by reducing the destructive effects of oxidative damage and increasing NGF.
 

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Background and Objective: Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. Docetaxel (DTX) is proposed as a well-known compound for prostate tumor chemotherapy, and its function is based on inhibiting microtubule depolymerization, disrupting microtubule balance, and consequently delaying cell cycle progression. Complications of DTX include hypersensitivity reactions, red blood cell aggregation, neutropenia, neurological problems, such as paralysis, fluid retention, bronchospasm, refractory hypotension, ADRS, respiratory impairment, cardiac dysfunction, ventricular tachycardia, cystoid macular edema, optic nerve damage, conjunctivitis, and keratopathy. This study aimed to determine the effect of curcumin on DTX-induced apoptosis in the DU145 (prostate) cell line using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.
Methods: This descriptive analytical study was conducted on the DU145 (prostate) cell line, purchased from the National Genetic Resources Cell Bank, at the Cell Culture Laboratory of the F aculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Cells were passaged for exposure to the desired drugs. Groups included curcumin at concentrations of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 µg/mL and DTX at a concentration of 4.46 µg/mL. Cells were incubated in triplicate for 24 hours. For the MTT assay, the culture rate was 10⁴ cells per well. Apoptosis testing was designed for four groups (DTX at a concentration of 4.46 µM, curcumin at a concentration of 2 µM combined with DTX at an optimal concentration, curcumin at a concentration of 10 µM combined with DTX at an optimal concentration, and curcumin at a concentration of 10 µM alone), with the culture rate of 5×10⁵ cells per well in 6-well plates. After cell exposure, MTT and apoptosis determination assays were performed.
Results: DTX reduced the viability of DU145 (prostate) cells by approximately 50% (P<0.05). Groups treated with curcumin combined with DTX showed a dose-dependent decrease in cytotoxicity and an increase in the viability of DU145 (prostate) cells (P<0.05). Additionally, curcumin was able to reduce apoptosis in DU145 (prostate) cells by 90%.
Conclusion: Curcumin increases cell viability and reduces apoptosis in DU145 (prostate) cells.