Pre-treatment with curcumin modulates acetylcholinesterase activity and proinflammatory cytokines in rats infected with Trypanosoma evansi

The potent activity against Trypanosomes and health beneficial effects of curcumin (Cur) has been demonstrated in various experimental models. In this study, we evaluated the in vivo effect of Cur as trypanocide and as potential anti-inflammatory agent, through the evaluation of immunomodulatory mechanisms in rats infected with Trypanosoma evansi. Daily oral Cur was administered at doses of 0, 20 or 60 mg/kg as preventive treatment (30 and 15 days pre infection) and as treatment (post infection). The treatment of the groups continued until the day of euthanasia. Fifteen days after inoculation, parasitemia, plasma proinflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6), anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) and blood acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE) were analyzed. Pretreatment with Cur reduced parasitemia and lethality. Cur inhibited AChE activity and improved immunological response by cytokines proinflammatory, fundamental during T. evansi infection. We found that Cur is not so important as an antitrypanosomal activity but as immunomodulator agent. These findings reveal that the preventive use of Cur stimulates anti-inflammatory mechanisms, reducing an excessive inflammatory response.

This study provides evidence that curmine induces immunomodulatory effects altering inflammatory parameters as cytokines release and inhibiting peripheral acetylcholinesterase activity. It is important to highlight the ability of curcumine to increase anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 levels ameliorating inflammatory response in animals infected by T. evansi.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Curcumin induces immunomodulatory effects.
► Oral pretreatment altering inflammatory parameters in Trypanosoma evansi infection
► Modulating cytokine release and inhibiting peripheral acetylcholinesterase
► Ameliorating the inflammatory response, potentially deleterious