ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of curcumin on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats and its mechanism. METHODS: 250 male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups:sham group (Sham group), ischemia-reperfusion group (I/R group), curcumin groups with dosage of 30 mg/kg (Cur30 group), 100 mg/kg (Cur100 group) and 300 mg/kg (Cur300 group). The brain tissue damage degree, leukocyte cells infiltration, levels of TNF-α and MMP-9 expressions, and blood-brain barrier permeability were detected. RESULTS: At the same time point,the score of brain tissue injury,number of leukocyte, expression of MMP-9 and TNF-α, and Evans blue dye of I/R group and Curs group were higher than those of Sham group (P < 0.05). The score of brain tissue damage degree, number of leukocyte, expression of MMP-9 and TNF-α, and Evans blue dye of Cur groups were lower than those of I/R group (P < 0.05). The Cur100 group had the best effect. CONCLUSION: Curcumin can decrease cerebral ischemia reperfusion pathological damage significantly and suppressed the expression of MMP-9 and TNF-α, and Evans blue dye, brain tissue damage, leukocyte infiltration, which may be involved in protective mechanisms of curcumin.
