Curcumin in Stress Induced Dysfunctional Homeostasis and Dementia : Free Radicals in Stress and Stress Induced Dementia-Targets For Action of Famous Indian Antioxidant Spice Turmeric

Present Book is based on a pre-clinical study aimed at evaluating the potential of curcumin in chronic immobilization and chronic unpredictable stress induced alterations in functional homeostasis and memory deficits in Mice. Curcumin is a principal antioxidant found in Turmeric (Curcuma longa). Stress has been associated with a profound increase in circulating levels of Adrenal hormones especially corticosterone which has been associated with the development of stress response. Stress induced increase in the circulating levels of free radicals has also been attributed to the pathogenesis of stress associated neurodegeneration resulting in memory deficits over the period of time. In the present study, stress induced increase in plasma/serum Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and decrease in Reduced Glutathione (GSH) levels was significantly reverted by oral dose of curcumin in mice. Moreover, oral administration of curcumin also ameliorated stress induced memory deficits in mice. The study also proposes the possible role of increased corticosterone levels in the pathogenesis of stress induced neurodegenaration resulting in memory deficits.