Investigating the Neuroprotective Effects of Curcumin in Scopolamine-induced Animal Model of Dementia: A Synergistic Approach to Mitigate Cognitive Decline

¹Neurochemistry and Biochemical Neuropharmacology Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi-75270, Pakistan

²Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research-ICCBS, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan

*Corresponding author: Dr. Huma Ikram, Assistant Professor, Neurochemistry and Biochemical Neuropharmacology Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi-75270, Pakistan, Tel: 03222697307, E-mails: [email protected]; [email protected]

Received Date: November 24, 2024

Publication Date: January 10, 2025

Citation: Ikram H, et al. (2025). Investigating the Neuroprotective Effects of Curcumin in Scopolamine-induced Animal Model of Dementia: A Synergistic Approach to Mitigate Cognitive Decline. Nutraceutical Res. 4(1):11.

Copyright: Ikram H, et al. © (2025).

ABSTRACT

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of curcumin in animal models of scopolamine-induced dementia. Given that cognitive decline in dementia is often linked to oxidative stress, the study aimed to explore whether curcumin, a natural polyphenol known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, could mitigate memory impairment and improve cognitive function in these models. To induce dementia, scopolamine was administered to rats, leading to memory impairment. The cognitive abilities of the animals were evaluated using behavioral tests such as the Morris water maze and the novel object recognition test. In addition to behavioral assessments, biochemical markers related to oxidative stress and cholinergic dysfunction were measured to assess the potential mechanisms through which curcumin might exert its effects. Curcumin was then administered to the scopolamine-treated rats to evaluate its impact on memory function and oxidative stress Rats treated with scopolamine exhibited significant memory impairment, as shown by poor performance in the Morris water maze and novel object recognition test. However, following curcumin treatment, a marked improvement in cognitive abilities was observed, indicating a positive effect on memory. Biochemical analyses revealed that curcumin treatment significantly reduced oxidative stress markers and improved cholinergic function in the treated animals. The findings from this study suggest that curcumin effectively improves cognitive function and reduces oxidative stress in scopolamine-induced dementia models. These results highlight the potential of curcumin as a neuroprotective agent and propose it as a promising candidate for preventing or treating cognitive decline associated with dementia. Further research is warranted to explore its clinical applications and establish its therapeutic efficacy.

Keywords: Curcumin, Scopolamine-Induced Dementia, Oxidative Stress, Morris Water Maze