| Abstract: | The present study investigated the protective effect of curcumin and mitochondrial‐targeted curcumin (MTC) in rotenone‐induced cerebellar toxicity in mice. Treatment of rotenone in mice significantly shortened the stride length for both forelimb and hind‐limb and increased fore‐paws and hind‐limb base width. Co‐treatment of curcumin and MTC with rotenone improved the walking pattern. A significant increase in lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide and decreased activity of AChE, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase were observed in rotenone‐treated mice while co‐treatment of curcumin and MTC with rotenone significantly increased AChE activity and protected against rotenone‐induced oxidative damage. Rotenone exposed mice showed irregular, damaged Purkinje cells and perineuronal vacuolation while co‐treatment of curcumin and MTC with rotenone protected against rotenone‐induced cellular damage in these cells. The result exhibits that both curcumin and MTC showed protective effects against rotenone‐induced cerebellar toxicity in mice and MTC is more effective than curcumin. |
