Curcumin is the proinciple cucumoid in turmeric (Curcuma longa). Curcumoids are a group of phenolic compounds that are pigments responsible for the yellow colour of turmeric. Curcumin has been shown to have a number of beneficial effects in animals. This may relate to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Studies have investigated the effects of curcumin on mental health and in this regard it shows promise as a mood elevating agent. For example, in one study researchers investigated the effects of curcumin on rats who were administered drugs to increase their anxiety levels. The coadministration of curcumin with the drug significantly reduced the anxious behaviour in the rats when they were exposed to experimental stress. Tests also showed the curcumin significantly improved the memory of the rats. Levels of serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine were modulated in several parts of the brains of the rats, indicating that the curcumin may have altered brain chemistry.
Curcumin may be beneficial to in the treatment of anxiety because of its antioxidant capacity. In another study, researchers observed significant improvements in antioxidant enzyme activity, and significant reductions in oxidation, in the brains of rats administered curcumin. These changes coincided with improved memory and reductions in anxiety.
In a very similar study, another group of researchers induced anxiety on rats through the administration of lead, as lead is a known neurotoxin and can be used to cause anxious behaviour in animals. Coadministration of curcumin with the lead significantly reduced the anxious behaviour exhibited by the rats and caused a modulatory effect to serotonin in central neuronal pathways. In a further study, researchers administered the known neurotoxin cadmium to rats. This caused significant behavioural and physiological changes in the rats that included impaired memory and altered neurotransmitter modulation in the brains of the rats. Administration of curcumin significantly ameliorated all of the changes suggesting that the rats were protected from the toxic effects of cadmium by the curcumin. Both lead and cadmium may cause neurotoxic effects because of their ability to generate oxidative stress. Therefore, curcumin may have beneficial effects on anxiety and memory, and this may relate to its antioxidant effects.
Studies suggest that curumin may increase the formation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 (n-3)) from its precursor alpha linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 (n-3)) in the brains of animals. As DHA is involved in cognition and mental health, this may be a further mechanism to explain the beneficial effects of turmeric on mood disorders.
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