Effects of curcumin on levels of nitric oxide synthase and AQP-4 in a rat model of hypoxia-ischemic brain damage

► Curcumin may cure brain edema after HIBD in a rat model. ► The rat model of HIBD is successfully established. ► Curcumin mitigates HIBD-induced ultrastructural changes in the brain. ► Curcumin partially reduces HIBD-induced increase in brain NOS activity. ► Curcumin partially reduces HIBD-induced increase in AQP-4 expression in hippocampus.