Curcumin protects against electrobehavioral progression of seizures in the iron-induced experimental model of epileptogenesis

The purpose of the study was to investigate whether dietary intake of curcumin can inhibit the onset and progression of seizures and their associated pathophysiology in experimental FeCl3-induced epileptogenesis. Curcumin was considered for this study because it can cross the blood-brain barrier and bind redox-active metal ions. It is also well known for its antioxidative, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, seizures were induced by intracortical injection of FeCl3 into young rats. Synchronized video/EEG recordings were obtained to diagnose the progression of seizures. Short-term treatment with a curcumin-supplemented diet (1500 ppm w/w) significantly inhibited the onset of grade III and IV seizures in rats with iron-induced epilepsy. The lower dose of curcumin (500 ppm) was not effective in inhibiting grade III seizures, but retarded the onset and progression of generalized seizures. The seizure-suppressing potential of curcumin is explained by the observed biochemical, behavioral, and ultrastructural results. Our results indicate that curcumin significantly prevents generalization of electroclinical seizure activity as well as the pathogenesis associated with iron-induced epileptogenesis. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Inc.