Annual Research & Review in Biology

Neurodegenerative conditions like anxiety, depression, and Alzheimer's disease can result from prolonged exposure to stress. Herbal supplements like Ginkgo biloba and Curcuma longa (turmeric) are being investigated as a result of the search for natural neuroprotective agents. In order to mitigate streptozotocin-induced neurodegeneration, this study examined the effects of combining ginkgo biloba supplements with Curcuma longa root extract. Twenty-five rats weighing between 90 and 120 grammes were split into five groups of five animals each. Group A was the control group; Group B was the negative control group (STZ alone); and Groups C–E were given extracts orally for 21 days at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg of Ginkgo biloba supplement and 200, 400, and 500 mg/kg of turmeric root extract. Following daily extract administration, a neurobehavioral test was performed. After 21 days, the animals were sacrificed and blood was extracted via ocular puncture into an EDTA container, and the serum was separated for oxidative biomarker analysis by centrifugation. The brain hippocampus was extracted and homogenized to measure the hippocampus absorbance level. Ginkgo biloba supplement and Curcuma longa root extract, at the doses tested on the Group C-E, significantly decreased p≤0.05 MDA, while GSH and SOD significantly increased p≤0.05 compared to group B. The hippocampus absorbance level increased non-significantly when compared to B. When comparing the test group to group B, there was a notable improvement in spatial memory and cognitive function, as evidenced by the significant decrease in escape latency and the number of errors (p≤0.05) and the significant increase in path efficiency. This study implies that some neurodegenerative diseases in diabetic rats may be lessened by the combined application of Curcuma longa roots and Ginkgo biloba supplements.