Non-micronized and micronized curcumin do not prevent the behavioral and neurochemical effects induced by acute stress in zebrafish

ABSTRACT Curcumin, a polyphenol extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae), presents neuroprotective properties and can modulate neuronal pathways related to mental disorders. However, curcumin has low bioavailability, which can compromise its use. The micronization process can reduce the mean particle diameter and improve this compound’s bioavailability and therapeutic potential. In this study, we compared the behavioral (in the open tank test, OTT) and neurochemical (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and non-protein thiols (NPSH) levels) effects of non-micronized curcumin (CUR, 10 mg/kg, i.p.) and micronized curcumin (MC, 10 mg/kg, i.p.) in adult zebrafish subjected to 90-minute acute restraint stress (ARS). ARS increased the time spent in the central area and the number of crossings and decreased the immobility time of the animals. These results suggest an increase in locomotor activity and a decrease in thigmotaxis behavior in the OTT. Furthermore, ARS also induced oxidative damage by increasing TBARS and decreasing NPSH levels. ARS-induced behavioral and biochemical effects were not blocked by any curcumin preparation. Therefore, we suppose that curcumin does not have anti-stress effects on the ARS in zebrafish.