The present study evaluated the effect of five different curcuminoids, CURI, CURII, CURIII, a mixture of the three and a synthetic, curcumin-boron-oxalic acid complex, on Anabas testudineus hepatocyte lipid peroxidation after 30-60 min of incubation. The results showed that curcumin had a protective role as a strong antioxidant in teleosts. All the curcuminoids decreased the peroxidation products formed, with or without stimulating the antioxidant enzyme pathway. This suggests a direct reactive oxygen-species scavenging ability of curcuminoids. Their antioxidant effects appear to be time and dose-dependent.