Effect of curcumin, the active constituent of turmeric, on penicillin-induced epileptiform activity in rats

ABSTRACT

Curcumin is a major constituent of turmeric and has many biological functions such as anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of curcumin and diazepam in separate and combined treatments on penicillin-induced seizures in rats. In urethane-anesthetized rats, epileptiform activity was induced by intracortical [i.c.] administration of penicillin [200 IU, 1 micro l], and frequency and amplitude of spike waves were analyzed using electrocorticographic recordings. Intraperitoneal [i.p.] injections of curcumin at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, and intracerebroventricular [i.c.v.] injection of diazepam at a dose of 5 micro g significantly [p<0.05] reduced both frequency and amplitude of spike waves. Co-administrations of curcumin [50 mg/kg, i.p.] with diazepam [5 micro g, i.c.v] enhanced the antiepileptic effect of diazepam [5 micro g, i.c.v]. The results suggested that both curcumin and diazepam suppressed penicillin-induced epileptiform activity. A potentiation effect was observed between curcumin and diazepam in reducing penicillin-induced seizures