Background: This experimental study was performed to investigate the benefit of curcumin via its antioxidant effect on spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats.
Methods: Twenty-four adult Wistar albino rats were randomized into three groups. SCI was performed by the weight-drop model. Group 1 underwent laminectomy followed by SCI and received no medication. Group 2 underwent laminectomy followed by SCI and received curcumin (200 mg/kg/day orally). Group 3 underwent laminectomy followed by SCI and received methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg intraperitoneally). Twenty-four hours later, blood samples were obtained from all rats; serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined, and the obtained results were compared.
Results: SOD level in the curcumin group was higher than in the control group (p < 0.000) and methylprednisolone group (p < 0.012). MDA level in the curcumin group was lower than in the control group (p < 0.042). Similarly, the MDA level in the methylprednisolone group was lower than in the control group (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The results of the present study show that curcumin effectively protects the spinal cord tissues against oxidative damage.