Potential Neuroprotective Effect of Nanomicelle Curcumin on Learning and Memory Functions Following Subacute Exposure to Bisphenol a in Adult Male Rats

Abstract ObjectiveBisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical that widely used in plastics production. It can influence on the brain tissue. Curcumin has a strong protective activity against brain disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of nanomicelle curcumin (NmCur) on BPA-induced learning and memory disorders in rats.Material and methodsIn this study, after determining the dose of BPA, rats were randomly divided into 8 groups (8 rats in each group); sesame oil, dextrose 5%, sesame oil + dextrose 5%, NmCur (50 mg/kg), BPA (50 mg/kg), and 50 mg/kg BPA plus 10, 25, or 50 mg/kg NmCur, respectively. All materials administered via gavage. Behavioral tests were estimated by shuttle-box, open-field, and Morris water maze devices. Then, stress oxidative, pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress-scavenging enzymes levels, as well as expression of MAPK proteins, glutamate receptors, and memory-related proteins were determined in the hippocampus and cortex tissues. ResultsBPA significantly increased expression of ROS, MDA, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, SOD, GST, p-P38, and p-JNK; however, considerably decreased GSH, GPx, GR, CAT, p-AKT, p-ERK1/2 levels. In addition, it down regulated expression of p-NR1, p-NR2A, p-NR2B, p-GluA1, BDNF, and p-CREB in rat cortex and hippocampus tissues. BPA significantly also changed behavioral activity. Conversely, BPA (50 mg/kg) plus NmCur (25 and 50 mg/kg) significantly reversed all BPA-induced adverse effects. ConclusionThe results of this study support that nanomicelle curcumin exhibited preventive effects against neurotoxicity and learning and memory impairment induced by subacute exposure to bisphenol A.