Background: Some researches reveal that pharmacologic and phytotherapeutic agents
have benefits on neurological disorders associated with the effects of reactive oxygen
species. Aim: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the protective effects of
curcumin and memantine in a cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model in rats. Materials and
Methods: This experimental study was conducted at the Bagcilar Training and Research
Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Rats were separated into five experimental groups (
n=8) as
follows: Curcumin (Group I), Memantine (Group II), Curcumin+Memantine (Group III),
ischemia (Group IV), and sham (Group V). Cerebral ischemia was performed surgically
with bilateral common carotid artery occlusion for 30 min, followed by reperfusion
for 72 hr. Tissue and serum samples were collected and assessed for tumor necrosis
factor-α, interleukin-6, lactate dehydrogenase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase,
xanthine dehydrogenase, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde levels. Further,
in tissue samples, both neuronal loss and caspase-3 levels were determined. Results:
Serum and tissue levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, malondialdehyde, and
lactate dehydrogenase were found significantly lower in the Group I, II, and III compared
to Group IV (
p<0.001). Glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase
levels in Group I, II, and III were significantly higher than those of Group IV (
p<0.001).
Conclusion: Curcumin, Memantine, and Curcumin+Memantine treatment were found to
be efficacious in decreasing oxidative damage in cerebral ischemia but failed to prevent
tissue damage.