Neurobehavioral protective properties of curcumin against the mercury chloride treated mice offspring

In the present investigation, the effects of mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) on the neurobehavioural and neurochemical disruption in mice offspring was studied. A total of thirty pregnant mice were divided into six groups. Group II and III were received 150 and 300 ppm of curcumin respectively. Group IV was given 10 ppm of HgCl₂. Group V and VI were given 10 ppm of HgCl₂ with 150 and 300 ppm of curcumin respectively. In this study, treatment started from day one of pregnancy and continued until post-natal day 15 (PD 15). During weaning period, three pups in each experimental group were marked and were subjected to behavioral, physical and biochemical tests. The results revealed decreased body weight, delayed hair growth and eye opening. HgCl₂ treated pups taken more time in righting, rotating reflexes to return to normal placement, cliff avoidance compared to that of control group. HgCl₂ exposed pups showed memory and learning deficits. Anxiety behavior in treating pups was increased. Biochemical investigations showed decreased level of dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in forebrain of treated pups compared to the control and curcumin groups. The protective effect of curcumin doses were significant compared to HgCl₂ group. The results indicated that the administration of curcumin showed effective activity towards biochemical and behavioral disorders obtained with the HgCl₂ treated animals. Overall, the curcumin administration revealed increased cognetion and anxiety behaviors in the treated animals. Conclusively, curcumin has a good benefits for health which can use to avoid toxicants such as Hg and other heavy metals.