Anti–oxidation actions of curcumin in two forms of bed rest: oxidative stress serum and salivary markers

ObjectiveTo determine the preventive effects of curcumin on peroxidative damage under two bed rest conditions.Methods20 healthy male (10 with curcumin and 10 without curcumin) volunteers were selected. They were studied before, during, and just on bed rest conditions at −6° head-down-tilt (HDT) bed rest and bed rest position (BD) for 10 days. We measured the salivary and serum oxidative markers such as Malonaldehyde, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, vitamin C and E just before HDT & BD, during HDT & BD experiment, and in course time of recovery with curcumin and without curcumin groups.ResultsThe values of serum and salivary vitamin C & E showed statistically significant decrease in both bed rest conditions as compared to those of the conditions before and during the recovery stage. However, these levels were not significantly lowered in curcumin groups in contrast to the groups without curcumin (P>0.05). MDA and 8-OHdG levels showed significant increase in simulating microgravity and zero gravity conditions as compared to those before and in the recovery stage. However, these levels were lower in curcumin groups in contrast to the groups without curcumin(P<0.05). Serum and salivary correlation analysis revealed a strong and highly significant correlation for MDA, vitamin C & E and 8 dihydro-2 deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in the conditions before, during and in the recovery periods in both bed rest conditions. Since saliva collection is easy and non-invasive, measurements of salivary marker levels may prove to be useful in the space research.ConclusionsCurcumin prevents peroxidative damage in both bed rest conditions. Further study is required on antioxidation actions of curcumin in space microgravity conditions.