Neuroprotective effect of Curcuma longa against second hand smoke exposure in NMRI mice

Smoking involves the consumption of tobacco, that contain nicotine, known to cause permanent addiction and neurotoxicity. Curcuma longa L. is recognized for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Recent studies have demonstrated that curcumin, the active compound in C. longa, possesses several biological activities beneficial to human health. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of nicotine on neural tissues and to evaluate the protective and antioxidant efficacy of C. longa as a potential treatment. The neurodegenerative impact of nicotine and the neuroprotective effects of curcumin on nerve cells were assessed using NMRI mice. The mice were randomly divided into three groups: Group I (n=2), the control group; Group II (n=7), exposed to cigarette smoke (3 cigarettes per day, delivering 2.4 mg of nicotine) and treated orally with C. longa at a dose of 250 mg/kg; and Group III (n=6), treated orally with 250 mg/kg of C. longa. After the treatment period, neurobehavioral studies on brain injury and histopathological evaluations were performed. The results showed significant neuropathological changes in the behavior, memory, and cerebral cortex of most nicotine-intoxicated mice. However, no histopathological abnormalities were seen in the control and curcumin-treated mice. These findings suggest that C. longa extract mitigates oxidative stress and could be beneficial in neuroprotective effects.