Animal studies have produced some promising results that may pave the way for future research on memory loss. An active chemical in a spice called turmeric may prove helpful in treating and preventing memory loss associated with dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss associated with HIV infection. Find basic information about curcumin and a brief explanation of three recent animal studies involving this golden root.
What is Curcumin?
Curcumin (Curcuma longa) is a chemical from an herb called turmeric, also known as Indian saffron, that is primarily grown in Asia and Africa. Turmeric is in the ginger family. According to the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine’s November 25, 2009 article entitled “Herbs at a Glance: Turmeric,” turmeric has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of conditions.
According to the above article, turmeric’s stems are dried and then ground into a powder. The powder is then placed into a capsule or used as a liquid extract or tea when taken by mouth. Turmeric powder can also be made into a paste that is applied to the skin to help heal eczema or wounds. Other common uses for turmeric, which has a distinctive yellow color, include dying fabrics, and is used in making curry powder, mustard, or cheese.
Curcumin’s Antioxidant Effects on Brain and Memory Have Promising Results in Animal Studies
According to the January 2010 Life Sciences article by Himani Awasthi et al entitled “Protective effect of curcumin against intracerebral streptozotocin induced impairment in memory and cerebral blood flow,” curcumin showed promising results in a study that looked at lab rats that were given a medication that caused memory loss. Some of the study subjects were given various doses of oral curcumin as a preventive therapy before inducing memory loss while other subjects were given curcumin after memory loss was confirmed. Blood flow to the brain, with resulting improvements in memory, were shown in both the preventive group and the therapeutic group.
According to the September 2009 European Neuropsychopharmacology article by Tauheed Ishrat et al entitled “Amelioration of cognitive deficits and neurodegeneration by curcumin in rat model of sporadic dementia of Alzheimer’s type (SDAT),” rats were given streptozotocin, which created significant memory problems, or cognitive deficits. The subjects that received supplemental curcumin experienced less memory loss with apparent oxidative potential.
Study results mentioned in the July 2009 Life Sciences journal article by Hongmei Tang entitled “Curcumin improves spatial memory impairment induced by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 glycoprotein 120 V3 loop peptide in rats” indicate that curcumin improved memory in lab rats that had dementia induced by HIV-type 1. This could be good news for people who have HIV because current therapies, although helpful in decreasing the AIDS virus, have not been completely successful in treating and preventing dementia associated with HIV.
Curcumin May Provide Future Hope for Preventing and Treating Dementia
Golden in color, curcumin may also prove to be a golden ticket in the treatment and prevention of memory loss as researchers begin to look in the spice cabinet to study the effects of some time-honored natural remedies. Although animal studies of curcumin and its effects on memory are showing promising results, human studies are not yet available at the time that this article has been published.
Although turmeric is considered safe for most adults, the herb has the potential to cause side effects of indigestion, liver and gall bladder problems, and could potentially interact with other medications. Perhaps curcumin may offer people new hope for an affordable therapy that could prevent or slow the progression of memory loss due to Alzheimer’s, HIV induced dementia, and other types of memory loss.
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Safe Use of Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications
This article is for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice. Check with a healthcare provider before changing any therapy, and always inform healthcare providers of any alternative or complimentary therapies being used.
Katrena Wells - Katrena Wells is a RN in NC with 17 1/2 years of experience in oncology, an educator since 1995, and has taught exercise classes since ...
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