Efficacy of curcumin-selenium nanoemulsion in alleviating oxidative damage induced by aluminum chloride in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a common neurological disorder primarily affecting older adults. A hallmark of this condition is the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to increased oxidative stress and cellular damage. Treatment with a curcumin-selenium nanoemulsion has been shown to enhance behavioural performance and mitigate degenerative changes induced by aluminium chloride (AlCl₃). This nanoemulsion also reduced the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and lowered levels of key proteins, including Aβ, p53, tau, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Additionally, it significantly decreased nitric oxide (NO) levels in the brain while enhancing the activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The study highlights the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the curcumin-selenium nanoemulsion, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic option for alleviating AD induced by AlCl₃. These results are further supported by improvements in the histological structure of the cortex and hippocampus, as well as enhanced immunohistochmical assessment of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Cur- Se-nanoemulsion, the current drug delivery technology, may lower the amount of amyloid-β in AD rat brain and considerably ameliorate the memory deficit that improve therapy efficacy in AD lesions.