Objective To investigate the effect of curcumin on the learning and memory ability of a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods Eighty mice were randomly divided into control, aluminum chloride (AlCl₃), solvent, and curcumin groups. AlCl₃-induced AD mice were treated by intraperitoneal injection of curcumin for 3 days. At 14 days after curcumin treatment, the effect of curcumin on learning and memory ability was evaluated using Morris water maze test, and curcumin was also assessed for its effects on the expression levels of amyloid protein42 (Aβ42), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and ionized calcium binding adapter molecule-1 beta (Iba-1β) by immunostaining and Western blot. The expression levels of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at the same time.Results Compared with the control group, the treatment with AlCl₃ significantly prolonged escape latency and memory impairment, indicating the successful establishment of AD mice model. The curcumin group had significantly decreased escape latency, significantly increased passing times, and significantly reduced Aβ42 production, as compared with the AlCl₃ and solvent groups. The expression levels of GFAP, Iba-1β, and inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in the hippocampus in the curcumin group decreased significantly compared with those in the AlCl₃ group.Conclusions These findings suggest that curcumin may be a potential treatment of AD, which can improve the learning and memory function through reducing inflammatory response caused by AlCl₃-induced glial cell activation.