Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preventing the lethality and reducing the severity of symptoms associated with septic shock such as lethargy, diarrhea and watery eyes induced by challenging with lipolysaccharide, in an animal in need of such a treatment by administering to the said animal a pharmacologically effective dose of curcumin orally. Also provided is a method of inhibiting the transmigration and infiltration of neutrophils from blood vessels to the underlying tissue and hence preventing the damage to the tissue of an animal in need of such a treatment by administering to the said animal a pharmacologically effective dose of curcumin orally. Curcumin being a natural compound may have little side effects. Thus, curcumin can be used to prevent the pathological conditions arising due to excessive infiltration of neutrophils into the tissues.