Curcumin: A Review of Its Effects on Epilepsy

Central nervous system (CNS) diseases pose an enormous healthcare burden, at both an individual and a societal level. Epilepsy has now become one of the most prevalent CNS disorders. Pharmaceutical drugs prescribed for epilepsy often have serious side effects and, for this reason, attention has turned to the use of medicinal plants. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a major component of Curcuma longa and exhibits various pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunoregulatory properties. Here, we have reviewed the literature relating specifically to the antiepileptic effects of curcumin. The evidence suggests a protective effect of curcumin in the control of epileptic seizures, together with a protective effect on the relief of memory impairment, which may stem from its influence on monoamine levels in the brain.