The effects of curcumin on serum galactin-3, rat behavior, cognition, and total antioxidant capacity in the streptozotocin-induced Alzheimer's model in rats

Aims: To our knowledge, no previous study has investigated the effect of curcumin (CUR) on galectin 3 (Gal3) as a factor associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of CUR on serum Gal3 and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in rat models with AD. Methods: In this study, 32 adult male Wistar rats were utilized as test subjects. The animals were randomly divided into four groups with eight rats in each group as follows: (1) Sham (animals that received normal saline (NS)), (2) streptozotocin (STZ), (3) CUR, and (4) CUR -STZ. Animals were treated for 56 consecutive days and finally the level of Gal3, TAC and cognitive function were evaluated. Results: The result of study showed that a significant effect of CUR intake on the reduction of serum Gal3 in the CUR-STZ as compared to the STZ group ( P = < 0.001). There was a markedly effect of CUR intake on the TAC in the CUR-STZ as compared to the STZ group ( P = < 0.001). Additionally, it was markedly lower in the STZ group than in controls ( P = < 0.05) Conclusions: The present study found that CUR consumption improved TAC and reduced Gal3 in rat models of AD. However, more studies are needed to elucidate CUR’s neuroprotective mechanisms.