Our problem is to evaluate the behavioral effects of formaldehyde on the anxiety and cognitive abilities of Wistar rats on the one hand, on the other hand, we have proven the protective effect of an antioxidant, “curcumin”. The positive antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects of curcumin are most likely due to its ability to normalize specific physiological mechanisms, in addition to being a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Curcumin also protects the brain and simultaneously acts on several mechanisms related to depression. It is considered to be the most promising therapeutic target for treating depressive behavior. 25 male rats weighing approximately 240 g were divided into equal five groups, toxicity was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of formaldehyde at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Behavioral test in “light/dark box test” revealed that animals exhibited an anxious behavior when compared to control. The curcumin, was administered orally (gastric gavages) at a dose of 60 mg / kg. The effects of formaldehyde gas on the variation in body weight and an alteration in locomotive and exploratory activities when compared to control. Our results show the therapeutic benefits of curcumin against the deficits caused by formaldehyde reflected in a disturbance in rat behavior.