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Curcumin and Dementia: A Systematic Review of Its Effects on Oxidative Stress and Cognitive Outcomes in Animal Models
Kehinde SA, Lin WP, Lay BB, Phyo KY, San MM, Pattanayaiying R, Chusri S.. International journal of molecular sciences, 2025-07-21
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Plain-language summary
Dementia is marked by progressive cognitive decline linked to oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and synaptic dysfunction. Curcumin, a natural compound from Curcuma longa, has shown promising neuroprotective effects. This systematic review analyzed 29 preclinical studies using rodent models of dementia induced by chemical, genetic, or dietary methods. The review focused on curcumin's effects on oxidative stress, inflammation, and cognitive outcomes. All studies assessing malondialdehyde (MDA) reported significant reductions, indicating reduced oxidative stress. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased in all measured cases, while glutathione (GSH) levels rose in about one-third of studies. A literature search was comprehensively conducted using PubMed, Scopus, AMED, and LILACS databases through April 2024. Curcumin also demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties, with over 80% of studies showing reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Additionally, 40% of studies noted increases in anti-inflammatory markers like IL-4 and IGF-1. Cognitive performance improved in around 80% of studies, especially in spatial learning and memory. Some studies also reported behavioral improvements, including reduced anxiety and enhanced locomotion. Curcumin demonstrated potent antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and cognitive-enhancing effects across diverse dementia models. Its ability to modulate multiple pathological pathways highlights its potential as a bioactive compound for mitigating cognitive decline associated with neurodegenerative diseases. However, variability in study design and curcumin formulations suggests the need for standardized protocols and further high-quality research to facilitate clinical translation.
What this study adds
Evidence grade: High
This is a pooled review of 29 participants. Across 29 studies in rodent models of dementia, curcumin, a compound from turmeric, reduced the oxidative-stress marker malondialdehyde in every study that measured it, and over 80% of studies showed lower inflammatory signals such as TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. Memory and learning improved in around 80% of studies.
Taken from this record’s own fields, not from reading the paper. The grade is assigned from the abstract’s wording; what that means.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Kehinde, S. A., Lin, W. P., Lay, B. B., Phyo, K. Y., San, M. M., Pattanayaiying, R., et al. (2025). Curcumin and Dementia: A Systematic Review of Its Effects on Oxidative Stress and Cognitive Outcomes in Animal Models. International journal of molecular sciences. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26147026
Vancouver
Kehinde SA, Lin WP, Lay BB, Phyo KY, San MM, Pattanayaiying R, et al. Curcumin and Dementia: A Systematic Review of Its Effects on Oxidative Stress and Cognitive Outcomes in Animal Models. International journal of molecular sciences. 2025. doi:10.3390/ijms26147026. PMID: 40725274.
BibTeX
@article{kehinde2025-40725274,
author = {Kehinde, S. A. and Lin, W. P. and Lay, B. B. and Phyo, K. Y. and San, M. M. and Pattanayaiying, R. and Chusri, S.},
title = {{Curcumin and Dementia: A Systematic Review of Its Effects on Oxidative Stress and Cognitive Outcomes in Animal Models}},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.3390/ijms26147026},
pmid = {40725274},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26147026}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record names 7 authors; APA and Vancouver show the first six, BibTeX and the downloads carry all of them. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- All studies assessing malondialdehyde (MDA) reported significant reductions, indicating reduced oxidative stress.
- Curcumin also demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties, with over 80% of studies showing reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β.
- Curcumin demonstrated potent antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and cognitive-enhancing effects across diverse dementia models.
- Its ability to modulate multiple pathological pathways highlights its potential as a bioactive compound for mitigating cognitive decline associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
Why it matters
Across 29 studies in rodent models of dementia, curcumin, a compound from turmeric, reduced the oxidative-stress marker malondialdehyde in every study that measured it, and over 80% of studies showed lower inflammatory signals such as TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. Memory and learning improved in around 80% of studies. Because all of this comes from animals and the studies varied in design and curcumin formulations, the authors say standardised, higher-quality research is needed before any use in people.
Study details
- Study designsystematic review
- Participants29
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 58/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a systematic review of all the studies on the question. Scored zero for effect reported because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (International journal of molecular sciences) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | International Journal of Molecular Sciences: journal h-index 426 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 12 / 12 | A systematic review of all the studies on the question |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 1 / 4 | 29 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomized / blinded | 0 / 2 | A review of other studies — randomization is not credited here |
| Times cited | 2 / 7 | Cited 8 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 2.7 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 1.1× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 8 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Sasitorn Chusri: h-index 23 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 0 / 3 | Mae Fah Luang University: institution h-index 321 (OpenAlex) |
| Multicenter collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 2 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40725274) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 58 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.3390/ijms26147026
- PubMed: 40725274
- Original source →
- Free full text: International Journal of Molecular Sciences →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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