http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925443914003779
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Abstract
Dietary
deficiency of docosahexaenoic acid (C22: 6n-3; DHA) is linked to the
neuropathology of several cognitive disorders, including anxiety. DHA,
which is essential for brain development and protection, is primarily
obtained through the diet or synthesized from dietary precursors,
however the conversion efficiency is low. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane),
which is a principal component of the spice turmeric, complements the
action of DHA in the brain, and this study was performed to determine
molecular mechanisms involved. We report that curcumin enhances the
synthesis of DHA from its precursor, α-linolenic acid (C18: 3n-3; ALA)
and elevates levels of enzymes involved in the synthesis of DHA such as
FADS2 and elongase 2 in both liver and brain tissue. Furthermore, in
vivo treatment with curcumin and ALA reduced anxiety-like behavior in
rodents. Taken together, these data suggest that curcumin enhances DHA
synthesis, resulting in elevated brain DHA content. These findings have
important implications for human health and the prevention of cognitive
disease, particularly for populations eating a plant-based diet or who
do not consume fish, a primary source of DHA, since DHA is essential for
brain function and its deficiency is implicated in many types of
neurological disorders.
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