Curcumin prevents cigarette smoke extract induced cognitive impairment

Curcumin is a major phytochemical constituent in Curcuma longa, an herbaceous perennial plant of Zingiberaceae family, which exhibits anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Here, we studied the therapeutic action of curcumin against CSE induced cognitive impairment in zebrafish. Montelukast (20 mg/kg), a cysteinyl-leukotriene receptor blocker was used as a reference drug. CSE exposure induced biochemical changes revealed that raise the brain acetylcholinesterase activity and lipid peroxidative products; and decrease the reduced glutathione levels in brain samples. Curcumin also protected against CSE induced neurocognitive impairment. These data suggest that curcumin can serve as a phytochemical constituent against CSE induced neurocognitive impairment.