Farzaneh Shakeri - Neurogeneeic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Mohammad Soukhtanloo - Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Mohammad Hossein Boskabady - Neurogeneeic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

Objective(s): The effects of Curcuma longa (C. longa) and curcumin on total and differential WBC count and oxidant, antioxidant biomarkers, in rat model of asthma were evaluated. Materials and Methods: Total and differential WBC count in the blood, NO۲, NO۳, MDA, SOD, CAT and thiol levels in serum were examined in control, asthma, Asthmatic rats treated with C. longa (۰.۷۵, ۱.۵۰, and ۳.۰۰ mg/ml), curcumin (۰.۱۵, ۰.۳۰, and ۰.۶۰ mg/ml), and dexamethasone (۱.۲۵ μg/ml) rats. Results: Total and most differential WBC count, NO۲, NO۳ and MDA were increased but lymphocytes, SOD, CAT and thiol were decreased in asthmatic animals compared to controls (P<۰.۰۰۱). Total WBC, NO۲ and NO۳ were significantly reduced in treated groups with dexamethasone and all concentrations of C. longa and curcumin compared to asthmatic group (PC. longa and curcumin (PP<۰.۰۰۱). There were significant improvement in eosinophil percentage due to treatment of highest concentration of the extract and curcumin, neutrophil and monocyte due to highest concentration of curcumin and lymphocyte due to highest concentration of the extract and two higher concentrations of curcumin compared to asthmatic group (PP<۰.۰۰۱). Dexamethasone treatment improved monocyte (P<۰.۰۰۱) and lymphocyte (P<۰.۰۱) percentages. Conclusion: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of C. longa extract and its constituent curcumin in animal model of asthma was observed which suggest a therapeutic potential for the plant and its constituent on asthma.

Curcuma longa, Curcumin, Inflammation, Oxidative stress, Rat model of asthma, WBC