ArticleBrain and behavior2025
Evaluation of Nanocurcumin Effects on Depressive-Like Behaviors in Rats and Determination of Serum BDNF and Serotonin Levels.
Article in Brain and behavior, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 3 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Medicinal Plants for Major Depressive Disorder.Brain sciences · 2026Review
- Nanomedicine for Depression: From Blood-Brain Barrier Delivery to Neuroimmune-Barrier-Plasticity Network Reprogramming.International journal of nanomedicine · 2026Review
- Curcumin as an Antioxidant Against Ziprasidone Induced Lipid Peroxidation in Human Plasma: Potential Relevance to Cortico Subcortical Circuit Function.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
- Erratum issued
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
introductionMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent psychiatric condition worldwide, and it is the leading cause of disability globally. Turmeric, an aromatic perennial herb widely used in traditional Asian medicine and cuisine, contains curcumin, which has several biological effects, including a pseudoantidepressant effect. However, curcumin's low bioavailability limits its effectiveness. This study evaluated nanocurcumin (NCUR) effects on depressive-like behaviors and examined serum BDNF and serotonin levels in a chronic stress model in rats. Behavioral assessments and biochemical indicators elucidated NCUR's antidepressant-like properties.
methodsIn this experimental study, 30 adult male rats were randomly divided into six groups and exposed to unexpected chronic mild stress (UCMS). The groups included: control (CG), stress control (SCG), fluoxetine (FLU) treatment (20 mg/kg), and three NCUR doses (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg). Before UCMS exposure, rats underwent a sucrose preference test (SPT). Depressive behaviors were then assessed using the open field test (OFT), forced swimming test (FST), and tail suspension test (TST) on days 27 and 28. Blood samples were collected on day 28 to measure serum Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and serotonin levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
resultsNCUR treatment significantly alleviated depressive-like behaviors in stressed rats. The sucrose preference index of the SCG decreased after 26 days of stress, while NCUR (all doses) and FLU reversed this effect. In the FST and TST, immobility time was significantly reduced in the NCUR and FLU groups compared to the SCG (p < 0.05). The OFT also showed that the SCG had significantly fewer crossings compared to treated groups (p < 0.05). Additionally, NCUR treatment significantly increased serum BDNF and serotonin levels compared to the SCG.
conclusionsThis study demonstrates that NCUR exerts antidepressant-like effects, improving depressive behaviors and increasing BDNF and serotonin levels in rats exposed to chronic stress. NCUR may offer a promising alternative for the treatment of MDD.
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