Novel approaches to improve systemic bioavailability of curcumin using probiotics for rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease in rodents.

Abstract

Background and aim: The prevalence of Parkinson's Disease (PD) is high, and treatment is not optimal to date. Curcumin possesses neuroprotective effects. Nevertheless, oral use is incommodious due to its poor bioavailability. Numerous attempts have been made to increase its systemic bioavailability. Among these, an effective way to increase the bioavailability of curcumin is by combining it with probiotics to target the glucuronidation reaction. The present study focuses on the bio-enhancement of curcumin using probiotics in animal models of PD by alleviating oxidative stress and ameliorating dopamine levels.

Materials and methods: Forty-two male rats were used for the study. Twelve animals were used for a bio-availability study in which curcumin was administered orally alone and concomitantly with a probiotic (Lactobacillus Rhamnus, 10⁹ cfu, PO) to prove probiotics' ability to enhance curcumin's serum level by inhibition of β-glucuronidase activity. Serum curcumin level was estimated using the LC-MS/MS technique on 21 days of dosing. The remaining animals were used in an experimental study. PD was induced through 2.5 mg/kg rotenone (ROT). Subsequently, the animals were allocated to five groups and treated commensurately along with ROT. Three treatment groups were administered curcumin (alone, with 10⁸ cfu, with 10⁹ cfu). The standard control and disease control groups were supplied with sunflower oil. Effect on behavioral patterns, neurotransmitter and enzyme levels, and oxidative stress parameters were measured. Moreover, the brain was isolated for histopathology.

Results and conclusions: The bioavailability study revealed a significant (P-value <0.001) increase in the serum level of curcumin in concomitantly administered probiotics with curcumin-treated animals compared to curcumin-only treated animals. An experimental study showed improved behavioral parameters, brain dopamine level, acetylcholinesterase (AchE), and oxidative stress combined in the curcumin and L. Rhamnosus treated groups. A notable improvement in the histology of the brain was observed. These findings strongly indicate that combining L. Rhamnosus with curcumin may be an effective therapeutic solution.