Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Rats fed the equivalent of 3430 mg human dose increased memory over a control group and reached the goal 7.5% faster than the control group.
One of the main concerns with aging is a decline in memory (1). The most severe form of memory decline is Alzheimer’s disease, which is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States (5). Recent research in female rats found that curcumin improved memory and decreased oxidative damage in the brain associated with memory loss (1).
The brain is particularly sensitive to oxidative damage, because the brain requires large amounts of oxygen, which results in free radical production. Compared to the rest of the body, the brain also has low levels of antioxidant enzymes, which increases the amount of oxidative damage that can occur (1-3). Because oxidative damage is one of the main factors in the aging process, antioxidant supplementation is a possible intervention to slowing the aging process (1).
Curcumin is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that has been safely used in traditional Asian and Ayurvedic medicine (1,4). Therefore, it is considered a possible antioxidant supplement to improve oxidation that occurs in the brain (1).
The recent research included 20 female rats (20 months of age; about 75% of lifespan) that were randomly divided to receive a regular diet (n=10) or a diet supplemented with curcumin (n=10; 300 mg/kg curcumin). The curcumin was supplemented 7 days before and 5 days during memory testing (1).
Memory testing included how long it took the rats to reach a desired platform, the total distance the rats traveled to get to the platform and the average swimming speed (1). The rats were tested on 4 consecutive days, with 4 memory trials each day (Morris water maze).
By the fourth day, the time to reach the desired platform decreased in the curcumin group and the control group (curcumin 50.6 to 21.5 seconds 54.5% reduction; control 64.3 to 34.1 seconds 47% reduction; p<0.05). The total distance traveled to reach the desired platform also decreased in the curcumin group and the control group (curcumin: 923 to 433 cm; 53.2%,reduction control: 1,183 to 709 cm; 40.2% reduction p<0.05) (1). There were no changes in swimming speed for either group (1).
Curcumin supplementation also significantly decreased MDA (malondialdeyde) levels in the brain tissue (P<0.05), but did not change MDA levels in the blood (1). MDA levels measure the amount of oxidative damage in the brain (via lipid peroxidation) (1). Lower levels of MDA indicate a decrease in oxidative damage and therefore the possible reason why curcumin improved memory testing (1).
In conclusion, short-term supplementation with curcumin improved memory function and decreased oxidative damage in the brains of female rats (1). Future research in humans would be needed to confirm that results would translate over to humans.
Source: Belviranlı, Muaz, et al. “Curcumin improves spatial memory and decreases oxidative damage in aged female rats.” Biogerontology 14.2 (2013): 187-196.
© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG. Part of Springer Nature
Posted July 15, 2013.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.
References:
- Belviranli M, et al. Curcumin improves spatial memory and decreases oxidative damage in female rats. 2013 Biogerontology 14: 187-196.
- Halliwell B, Gutteridge JM. The importance of free radicals and catalytic metal ions in human diseases. 1985. Mol Aspects Med 8:89–193.
- Asha Devi S, et al. Grape seed proanthocyanidin lowers brain oxidative stress in adult and middle-aged rats. 2011. Exp Gerontol 46:958–964.
- Jovanovic SV, et al. How curcumin works preferentially with water-soluble antioxidants. 2001. J Am Chem Soc 123:3064–3068.
- Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
