Long term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with less risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Also, lengthy use of ibuprofen lessened inflammation and plaque-related damage in a mouse model (Tg2576) of Alzheimer’s disease. But too much use of the NSAIDs that inhibit the enzyme cyclooxygenase I can cause gastrointestinal, liver, and liver damage. Curcumin, a part of the curry spice turmeric, may be a less toxic NSAID alternative. These researchers studied whether curcumin could reduce the brain damage in this same mouse model. They tested a low (160 parts per million) and a high dose of dietary curcumin (5000 parts per million). Both doses of curcumin significantly lowered oxidized proteins and interleukin-1beta. This is a proinflammatory cytokine elevated in the brains of these mice. Three indicators of Alzheimer’s disease were significantly decreased by 43-50%, but only with the low dose. These indicators were; astrocytic marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein, insoluble beta-amyloid (Abeta), soluble Abeta, and number of plaques. Amyloid plaques in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients contain lots of Abeta, a peptide. Microgliosis was also suppressed in neuronal layers but not adjacent to plaques. However, levels of amyloid precursor in the membrane fraction were not reduced. They concluded that curcumin is likely to help in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease because of its efficacy in this mouse model and its low toxicity.
The curry spice curcumin reduces oxidative damage …[J Neurosci. 2001]