An evaluation of the role of curcumin on Bad gene expression and apoptosis in hippocampus and the behavior of diabetic rat

Background and Aim: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease in which the amount of sugar in the blood increases for a long time, causing many symptoms such as recurrent urine, increased thirst, hunger, and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Diabetes-induced chronic hyperglycemia disrupts carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Diabetes complications such as coronary and peripheral artery diseases, stroke, high blood sugar or diabetic neuropathy, amputation, renal failure, and blindness lead to progressive disability, reduced life expectancy and high health costs, not to mention that it happens in almost every community. Certainly, diabetes is one of the most challenging health problems of the ۲۱st century. As the population ages and the trend toward obesity and sedentary lifestyles increases, the number of people at an alarming rate is increasing as well. The hippocampus is one of the components of the limbic system of the brain and is considered as the center for cognitive functions including learning and memory. Diabetes is associated with cognitive and memory impairments and as the hippocampus is a sensitive area of the brain, it may be affected in this metabolic disorder. Numerous studies have shown that diabetes, through numerous known mechanisms, induces apoptosis in hippocampal neurons. Curcumin is a lipophilic polyphenolic substance that makes up ۲-۵% of turmeric powder. Curcumin has cholesterol-lowering, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and has anti-cancer activity in both in vitro and in vivo models.Methods: In the present study, the effect of the curcumin on the expression of Bad gene, which is a gene involved in apoptosis would be investigated. The sample population is the hippocampus of the brain of streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats. Also, since the hippocampus is a center for cognitive functions such as learning and memory, the behavior of rats would be evaluated.Results: : Due to the anti-diabetic properties of curcumin, it is expected that in the hippocampus of diabetic rats, a decrease in the expression of bad genes and apoptosis will be observed.Conclusion: According to the results, curcumin is expected to be used as a drug to reduce the complications of diabetes.

Keywords:

Diabetes , Hippocampus , Bad , Curcumin