Curcumin (CUR), a polyphenolic compound, extracted from Curcuma longa, is known for its neuroprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

To evaluate the effect of CUR on ambulatory activity, spatial working memory and on oxidative stress in rats induced by Diazepam (DZP) administration.

To analyze whether CUR may improve the cognitive performance and offer systemic protection from oxidative stress.

The effect of CUR on DZP-induced memory impairment and oxidative stress was studied on Wistar rats. Group I received a vehicle, group II – vehicle and CUR, group III – vehicle and DZP, group IV – vehicle, CUR and DZP. CUR (150 mg/kg bw) and vehicle were orally administered for five weeks long. DZP (2 mg/kg bw) was administered i.p. 20 minutes before the behavioral tests. Behavioral tests, i.e. Open Field and Y Maze Test, were performed. Malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio were determined in the serum and brain tissue homogenate. Hippocampal sections were histologically assessed. The data were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA, followed by Dunns post-test.

DZP decreased (P < 0.01) the number of spontaneous alternations, as compared to control group, thus suggesting an impairment of spatial working memory. Behavioral tests revealed no enhancing effect of CUR on spontaneous alternation behaviors in Y Maze. CUR reversed (P < 0.01) the inhibitory effect of diazepam (P < 0.05) on the ambulatory activity in OFT and decreased the lipid peroxidation in the serum (P < 0.05).

The results show that CUR may offer systemic protection from oxidative stress, thus improving the cognitive performance.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.