title: The effect of hydro-ethanolic extract ofCurcuma longarhizome and curcumin on total and differential WBC and serum oxidant, antioxidant biomarkers in rat model of asthma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effects ofCurcuma longa(C. longa) and curcumin on total and differential WBC count and oxidant, antioxidant biomarkers, in rat model of asthma were evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total and differential WBC count in the blood, NO2, NO3, MDA, SOD, CAT and thiol levels in serum were examined in control, asthma, Asthmatic rats treated withC. longa(0.75, 1.50, and 3.00 mg/ml), curcumin (0.15, 0.30, and 0.60 mg/ml), and dexamethasone (1.25 μg/ml) rats.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total and most differential WBC count, NO2, NO3and MDA were increased but lymphocytes, SOD, CAT and thiol were decreased in asthmatic animals compared to controls (P<0.001). Total WBC, NO2and NO3were significantly reduced in treated groups with dexamethasone and all concentrations ofC. longaand curcumin compared to asthmatic group (P<0.001 for all cases). MDA was significantly decreased, but SOD, CAT and thiol increased in treated asthma animals with dexamethasone and two higher concentrations ofC. longaand curcumin (P<0.01 to P<0.001). There were significant improvement in eosinophil percentage due to treatment of highest concentration of the extract and curcumin, neutrophil and monocyte due to highest concentration of curcumin and lymphocyte due to highest concentration of the extract and two higher concentrations of curcumin compared to asthmatic group (P<0.01 to P<0.001). Dexamethasone treatment improved monocyte (P<0.001) and lymphocyte (P<0.01) percentages.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects ofC. longaextract and its constituent curcumin in animal model of asthma was observed which suggest a therapeutic potential for the plant and its constituent on asthma.
authors.affiliation: Neurogeneeic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Farzaneh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shakeri
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soukhtanloo
authors.affiliation: Neurogeneeic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Hossein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Boskabady
keywords: Curcuma longa; Curcumin; Inflammation; Oxidative stress; Rat model of asthma; WBC