Effect of curcumin on the contraction of isolated goat uterus

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of action of curcumin on potassium chloride (KCl) induced contraction of isolated goat uterine tissue.Methods: KCl induced contraction in the presence and absence of log doses of curcumin were obtained with the help of force transducer and student physiograph. Also, the effect of glibenclamide (K+ATP channel blocker) and methylene blue v (nitric oxide blocker) on the contractility of uterus tissue in presence of curcumin was recorded. Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was used for statistical analysis. The percentage inhibition of height and area under curve were calculated.Results: There was decrease in the height of KCl induced contraction in the presence of curcumin 4 µM (p value 0.046) 40 µM (p value=0.028) and 400 µM (p value=0.028). There was reduction in area under curve of KCl induced contraction in presence of curcumin 4 µM (p value=0.463) 40µM (p value=0.027) and 400 µM (p value=0.028). There was decrease in the height (p value=0.046) and significant decrease in area (p value=0.046) of KCl induced contraction in the presence of curcumin 100 µM and glibenclamide. There was decrease in height (p value=0.027) and area (p value=0.028) of KCl induced contraction in the presence of curcumin 100 µM and methylene blue.Conclusions: Curcumin causes relaxation of goat uterus. Since methylene blue and glibenclamide were not able to reverse the inhibition produced by curcumin it implies curcumin may not act via the nitric oxide pathway nor does it interact with K+ATP channels to relax the uterus.