摘要
Objective Curcumin is a plant polyphenolic compound and a major component of spice turmeric （Curcuma longa）. It has been reported to possess free radical-scavenging, iron-chelating, and anti-inflammatory properties in dif- ferent tissues. Our previous study showed that curcumin protects MES23.5 dopaminergic cells from 6-hydroxydopamine （6-OHDA）-induced neurotoxicity in vitro. The present study aimed to explore this neuroprotective effect in the 6-OHDA-lesioned rat model of Parkinson＇s disease in vivo. Methods Rats were given intragastric curcumin for 24 days. 6-OHDA lesioning was conducted on day 4 of curcumin treatment. Dopamine content was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection, tyrosine hydroxylase （TH）-containing neurons by immunohistochemistry, and iron-containing cells by Perls＇ iron staining. Results The dopamine content in the striatum and the number of TH-immunoreactive neurons decreased after 6-OHDA treatment. Curcumin pretreatment reversed these changes. Further studies demonstrated that 6-OHDA treatment increased the number of iron-staining cells, which was dramatically decreased by curcumin pretreatment. Conclusion The protective effects of curcumin against 6-OHDA may be attributable to the ironchelating activity of curcumin to suppress the iron-induced degeneration of nigral dopaminergic neurons.
Objective Curcumin is a plant polyphenolic compound and a major component of spice turmeric （Curcuma longa）. It has been reported to possess free radical-scavenging, iron-chelating, and anti-inflammatory properties in dif- ferent tissues. Our previous study showed that curcumin protects MES23.5 dopaminergic cells from 6-hydroxydopamine （6-OHDA）-induced neurotoxicity in vitro. The present study aimed to explore this neuroprotective effect in the 6-OHDA-lesioned rat model of Parkinson＇s disease in vivo. Methods Rats were given intragastric curcumin for 24 days. 6-OHDA lesioning was conducted on day 4 of curcumin treatment. Dopamine content was assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection, tyrosine hydroxylase （TH）-containing neurons by immunohistochemistry, and iron-containing cells by Perls＇ iron staining. Results The dopamine content in the striatum and the number of TH-immunoreactive neurons decreased after 6-OHDA treatment. Curcumin pretreatment reversed these changes. Further studies demonstrated that 6-OHDA treatment increased the number of iron-staining cells, which was dramatically decreased by curcumin pretreatment. Conclusion The protective effects of curcumin against 6-OHDA may be attributable to the ironchelating activity of curcumin to suppress the iron-induced degeneration of nigral dopaminergic neurons.
基金
supported by grants from the National Basic Research Development Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China (2011CB504102)
the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30930036, 81100955)
