Curcumin nanoparticles alleviate brain mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular senescence in γ-irradiated rats

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Radiology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Gamma radiation (γ) has widespread applications but induces hazardous effects like cellular senescence and mitochondrial dysfunction.
• Curcumin nanoparticles (CNPs) are investigated for their potential therapeutic benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of CNPs in mitigating γ radiation-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular senescence in rat brain tissues.
• To assess the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and mitochondrial-enhancing properties of CNPs.

Main Methods:

• Four groups of male Wistar albino rats were used: control, CNPs-treated, γ-irradiated, and irradiated + CNPs-treated.
• CNPs were administered orally at 10 mg/kg/day for eight weeks.
• Biochemical markers for oxidative stress, antioxidant capacity, mitochondrial function, neuroinflammation, and senescence were analyzed.

Main Results:

• CNPs attenuated oxidative stress by reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) and enhancing superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC).
• CNPs improved mitochondrial function (Complex I, II, ATP production) and reduced neuroinflammation markers (IL-6, TNF-α, NF-ĸB).
• CNPs decreased senescence markers (β-galactosidase activity, p53, p21, p16) and increased AMPK mRNA expression.

Conclusions:

• CNPs ameliorate γ radiation-induced neurotoxicity.
• CNPs show promise as a novel agent to delay cellular senescence through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and mitochondrial-enhancing mechanisms.