Enhanced Cognitive Effects of Demethoxycurcumin, a Natural Derivative of Curcumin on Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment in Mice

Dong Lim,In-Ho Kim,Min Um,Hyun Son,Daeseok Han,Suengmok Cho,Chang-Ho Lee

doi:10.3390/molecules21081022

Abstract

In the present study, we examined the ameliorating effects of demethoxycurcumin (DMC) on memory impairment induced by scopolamine using passive avoidance and Morris water maze tests in mice. Moreover, to determine the neurobiological effects underlying the ameliorating effects of the DMC, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunoreactivity was evaluated in mice exposed to scopolamine. Our results demonstrated that chronic oral administration (28 days) of DMC (10 mg/kg) improved scopolamine-induced learning impairment in the passive avoidance task and memory impairment in the Morris water maze. Moreover, Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in the DMC-treated group was significantly increased to 33.03% compared with the control group. Our present finding suggests that DMC ameliorates memory impairments induced by scopolamine treatment through reversing the reduction of hippocampal ChAT expression in mice.

Highlights

Curcuminoids are the major active components of Turmeric, one of the earliest known and most important edible crude herbs, which is used in food coloring, for cooking, and in traditional folk medicines [1]
We examined the ameliorating effects of DMC on memory impairment induced by scopolamine using passive avoidance and Morris water maze tests in mice
To determine the neurobiological effects underlying the ameliorating effects of the DMC, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunoreactivity was evaluated in mice exposed to scopolamine

Summary

Introduction

Curcuminoids are the major active components of Turmeric (rhizome of Curcuma longa), one of the earliest known and most important edible crude herbs, which is used in food coloring, for cooking, and in traditional folk medicines [1]. Curcuminoids consist of a mixture of curcumin (75%–80%), demethoxycurcumin (DMC, 15%–20%), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC, 3%–5%) [2]. Curcumin is present in the largest quantity in curcuminoids, and it is one of the well-studied biologically active molecules of Turmeric, exhibiting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties [3]. Owing to its potent anti-inflammatory property, curcumin can be a useful agent in the treatment of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), where the production of amyloid-β (Aβ) and the concurrent production reactive oxygen species (ROS). This report was supported by the finding that curcumin decreases Aβ-ROS-related inflammation and Aβ burden in Aβ precursor protein (APP)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion