Investigating the Effects of Niosome Curcumin on the Alteration of NF-κB Gene Expression and Memory and Learning in...

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that is the primary cause of dementia, affecting memory and learning abilities. Inflammation, oxidative stress, and the accumulation of heavy metals such as aluminum in the brain are hypothesized as key contributors to this disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the stereological changes and alterations in nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) gene expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of Alzheimer's male rats and the therapeutic effects of curcumin nanoparticles. Fifty-six adult male Wistar rats were divided into one of seven groups (n = 8): control, sham (ethanol), Alzheimer's disease (AD, AlCl3 at a dose of 4.2 mg/kg for 28 days), curcumin (Cur, 20 mg/kg), niosome curcumin (Niosome.Cur, 20 mg), AD + curcumin, and AD + niosome curcumin. Administration of free curcumin and niosome curcumin was carried out intraperitoneally for 14 and 7 days following the induction of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The object recognition test was performed to assess memory and learning parameters, and the T-maze test was conducted to evaluate working memory. Expression of the NF-κB inflammatory gene was detected using real-time PCR. Stereological evaluation was performed to quantitatively assess tissue damage. Results indicated that AD induction caused an increase in NF-κB gene expression, and both curcumin and niosome curcumin modulated this expression. Stereological changes revealed a quantitative increase in tissue damage in AD, and curcumin, particularly niosome curcumin, improved the disease state by modulating these parameters. Niosome curcumin enhanced memory in Alzheimer's disease. Finally, niosomes as drug-carrying nanoparticles offer a suitable option for better efficacy in a shorter time frame for antioxidants like curcumin.