Anti-amnesic effect of CUD 003, a novel synthetic derivative of curcumin, on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in rats

Curcumin, a natural polyphenol compound which is contained in turmeric (Curcuma longa), has been reported to exert ameliorating effect in various experimental animals of amnesia. In the present study, the effect of CUD003, a novel synthetic derivate of curcumin, against scopolamine-induced memory impairment was assessed using the novel object recognition test in rats. Moreover, acetylcholine esterase (AChE), monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B inhibitory activities of CUD003 were evaluated. Oral administration of CUD003 (30 mg/kg), but not curcumin (30 mg/kg) significantly increased exploratory preference of the novel object compared to the scopolamine treated rats in behavioral test. CUD003 (IC50 = 243.7 µM) exhibited lower AChE inhibitory activity as compared to curcumin (IC50 = 52.6 µM). MAO-A and -B inhibitory effects of CUD003 (IC50 = 66.0 and 10.7 µM, respectively) also weaker than those of curcumin (IC50 = 3.7 and 3.0 µM, respectively). These results suggest that CUD003 has more potent anti-amnesic effect than curcumin. Further analysis is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying its effectiveness.