Protective Potential of Aqueous Extract of Turmeric on the Cognitive Function of Adult Female Wistar Rats Administered with Co-Codamol

Abstract

Background and aim: Co-codamol, a widely used analgesic, has been associated with cognitive impairments. This study explored the possible neuroprotective effect of aqueous extract of turmeric against co-codamol-induced cognitive deficits in adult female Wistar rats.

Materials and methods: Twenty adult female Wistar rats were randomized into four groups (n=5 each). Groups 1 to 3received oral administration of 530mg/kg of co-codamol only, co-administration of 530mg/kg of co-codamol plus 200mg/kg of curcumin only, and 200mg/kg of curcumin only respectively for 2 weeks at a single dose of 5ml while group 4 (controls) received normal saline orally. Body weight measurements were taken and recorded, before administration and at the time of sacrifice. The rats were assessed for neurobehavioral using T-maze apparatus. The brain tissues were harvested and weighed. Data obtained were analyzed with Graph pad prism version 8.4. Results were expressed as mean ± SEM.

Results: The control group had increased body and organ weights, but there was no significant difference between the body weights of co-codamol only group and other experimental groups. Furthermore, the brain weight of rats administered with co-codamol only was significantly lower than control and other experimental groups. Neurobehavioral studies showed that the rats in the co-codamol only group had significantly longer recognition and memory times compared to control and other experimental groups (p<0.005).

Conclusion: These findings suggest that aqueous extract of turmeric administration could mitigate the cognitive impairment caused by co-codamol due to the changes observed in the neurobehavioral studies of the rats administered with the extract of turmeric.