Curcumin and Neuroprotection: A Promising Herbal Strategy for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Curcumin, a bioactive compound extracted from Curcuma longa, exhibits neuroprotective effects, especially in relation to neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This research aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of curcumin in an animal model of neurodegeneration induced by oxidative stress and inflammation. In this study, 40 Swiss albino mice were included and divided into four groups: a control group, a disease model group, and two treatment groups receiving curcumin at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg for 21 days. Behavioral assessments, including the Morris water maze and rotarod tests, were conducted to evaluate cognitive and motor functions. Biochemical analyses were performed to measure oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, and GSH) and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) in brain tissues. The results demonstrated that curcumin significantly improved cognitive and motor performance in treated mice compared to the disease model group (p < 0.01). Curcumin administration reduced oxidative stress by 35% and lowered inflammatory cytokine levels by 40% in the brain. Histopathological analysis revealed a 30% reduction in neuronal damage in the curcumin-treated groups. These results suggest that curcumin exerts neuroprotective effects by alleviating oxidative stress and inflammation, two key pathological mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. This animal study showed the positive effect of curcumin, a natural therapeutic compound, on neurodegenerative disorders.