Curcumin attenuates tert-butyl hydroperoxide induced oxidative damage in cortical neurons

Aim To explore the mechanism of curcumin att en uates tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced apoptosis in rat cortical neur ons. Methods Primary culture of rat cortical neurons were perfo rmed in vitro and cell viability was measured by MTT assay. DNA fragmentatio n was used to evaluate cell apoptosis. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (RO S) and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) was determined by flow cyto metric assay. Cellular glutathione (GSH) content was measured by spectrophotomet er. Bcl-2 and Bax protein, cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribo se) polymerase (PARP) were detected by Western blot.Results Aft er exposure to 100 μmol·L -1 tBHP for 60 min and treatment with curcumins (2.5～20 μmol·L -1) for 18 h, the cell viability was increased and ΔΨ m and cellular GSH content was elevated significantly. In addition, intracellula r ROS was reduced markedly. The levels of Bcl-2 protein were increased and Bax was reduced. Meanwhile,cytochrome C release, caspase-3 and PARP proteolysis an d DNA fragmentation was inhibited and eventually attenuated apoptosis. C onclusion Curcumin may attenuate oxidative damages in cortical neurons by reducing intracellular ROS and protecting mitochondria from oxidative damage.