Dose-dependent effects of curcumin on writhing response: A study in a Balb/c mouse model with dysmenorrhea

Context: Primary dysmenorrhea negatively affects adolescents’ quality of life. Curcumin, an active turmeric compound, inhibits the cyclooxygenase reaction to inhibit and reduce inflammation. Aims: To determine the effects of varying doses of curcumin on the writhing response in a mouse model of primary dysmenorrhea. Methods: We performed an experiment using a post-test only and a control-group design approach with random sampling. The research subjects were non-pregnant female Balb/c mice (Mus musculus) as models of primary dysmenorrhea induced by estradiol benzoate and oxytocin. Forty mice met the inclusion criteria and were divided into five groups: the negative control group was administered corn oil, the positive control group was administered ibuprofen 100 mg/kg and corn oil (0.5 mL of corn oil), and three intervention groups were administered curcumin (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, or 400 mg/kg). The writing number and latency were evaluated 30 minutes after the oxytocin injection. Results: The writhing number significantly decreased after curcumin administration (p<0.05). Writhing latency was also significantly longer after curcumin administration (p<0.05). Curcumin (400 mg) provided the best response in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea in mice. Conclusions: The relationship between the curcumin dose and writhing response was dose-dependent. A 50% efficacy was observed at the optimal dose of 166 mg/kg, whereas maximum effect was observed at a dose of 1541 mg/kg.