**3.6 Antidepressant properties**

In cases of chronic mild stress that is CMS model, curcumin was studied for antidepressant activity.

Ethanolic extract had indicated increase in sucrose intake as compared to normal control levels, reduction in serum IL-6 and TNF-α and CRF levels in medulla oblongata and serum to limits lower than normal.

Cortisol levels were found to be reduced than the normal levels. Through the inhibition of monoamine oxidize, it had shown its antidepressant activity. It caused reversal of decreased serotonin, dopamine and noradrenalin concentrations and increase in the turnover of serotonin [55, 56].

### **3.7 Cardiovascular diseases**

The protective effect was observed due to lowering of triglyceride and cholesterol levels and decrease in LDL and also due to inhibition of aggregation of platelet [57].

Effect of turmeric extract on cholesterol levels may be due to decreased cholesterol uptake in the intestines and increased conversion of cholesterol to bile acids in the liver. Inhibition of platelet aggregation by C. longa constituents is thought to be via potentiation of prostacyclin synthesis and inhibition of thromboxane synthesis [58].

Oral intake of 500 mg/d of curcumin was given for 7 days and further it resulted in comparable decrease in the serum peroxide levels by 33% and increase in HDL cholesterol by 29% and decrease in level of total serum cholesterol by 12% [59].
