Analysis of anti-depressant potential of curcumin against depression induced male albino wistar rats

• Curcumin reduced olfactory behavioral abnormalities.
• Increased activity in the open area and immobility time.
• Curcumin reversed levels of 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, noradrenaline.
• Reversed serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid.
• Curcumin normalizes dopamine, noradrenaline, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid.

The present study investigated the antidepressant potential of curcumin in olfactory bulbectomy and forced swimming test models of depression in male albino rats under chronic treatment. The experimental animals were divided into four groups, and curcumin was administered for 45 days. Our results showed that the curcumin significantly reduced olfactory bulbectomy-induced behavioral abnormalities including deficits in step-down passive avoidance, increased activity in the open area and immobility time. Chronic administration of curcumin significantly reversed levels of 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, noradrenaline, serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the hippocampus region of male albino rats. Also, curcumin normalizes the levels of dopamine, noradrenaline, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in the frontal cortex of rats. Taking all these results together, it may suggest that curcumin is potent compound acting against the depression in the male albino rats.