ABSTRACT
Title
Neuroprotective effects of the natural compound curcumin and its natural–like derivatives on PC12 cells
Authors
D.Farina
Doctoral School of Biological Sciences, Neuroscience Section
Dept. of Neuroscience, Medical School - University of Sassari, Italy
Doctoral School of Biological Sciences, Neuroscience Section
Dept. of Neuroscience, Medical School - University of Sassari, Italy
Abstract
The main pathological characteristic of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the dramatic loss of pigmented dopamine (DA)-containing neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Although the cellular mechanism that lead to primary neuron loss have yet to be fully clarified, increasing evidence suggested that oxidative damage induced by reative oxygen species (ROS) was participated in the progression of dopaminergic neurodegeneration[1].Identification of the biochemical pathways involved in neuron cell death due to oxidative stress and apoptosis could contribute to the development of drugs or functional foods for the treatment of certain neurodegenerative disorders, including PD.
The natural polyphenol curcumin, derived from the herbal remedy and dietary spice turmeric, is one of several candidates, since several study demonstrated neuroprotective activity in diverse experiments using different models[2]. Curcumin derivatives have a similar molecular structure and, potentially, similar activities. The potential neuroprotective effects of curcumin and its derivatives has been evaluated in this study on PC12 cells against Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ions (MPP+) damage.
Experiments were performed on PC12 cells during their exponential phase of growth.At the start of experiment, PC12 were seeded at 1x105 cells/ml in 24-well plates and treated 24 h later with Curcumin or its derivatives, H2O2 or MPP+. After 24 h, cells were processed with the3-(4,5-dimetiltiazol-2-yl)-2,5-difeniltetrazolio bromide (MTT) reduction assay to evaluate cell viability[3].
Using MTT assay, statistically significant decrease in percentage cell viability was detected following 24 h exposure of H2O2 (50 µM) and MPP+ (0.5 mM). However, the citotoxic effects of H2O2 and MPP+ were attenuated by curcumin and its derivatives. Particularly, a significant increase in percentage cell viability (+15-30% vs control) was recorded after pretreatment with curcumin or its derivatives (40 µM) for 20’ prior to H2O2 exposure. Similarly, was found that curcumin and its derivatives protected PC12 cells against MPP+, with an increase in percentage cell viability of about 12% vs MPP+ group.
These preliminary results show that the natural compound curcumin and its natural-like derivatives protect PC12 cells against MPP+-induced cytotoxicity and H2O2-induced oxidative stress and suggest the potential use of these molecules in the prevention or treatment of PD.
1) Chen J. et al. (2006) – Apoptosis 11: 943-953.
2) Mendoça L. et al. (2009) - Mutation Research 675: 29-34.
3) Migheli R. et al. (1999) - J. Neurochem73:1155–1163.
The natural polyphenol curcumin, derived from the herbal remedy and dietary spice turmeric, is one of several candidates, since several study demonstrated neuroprotective activity in diverse experiments using different models[2]. Curcumin derivatives have a similar molecular structure and, potentially, similar activities. The potential neuroprotective effects of curcumin and its derivatives has been evaluated in this study on PC12 cells against Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ions (MPP+) damage.
Experiments were performed on PC12 cells during their exponential phase of growth.At the start of experiment, PC12 were seeded at 1x105 cells/ml in 24-well plates and treated 24 h later with Curcumin or its derivatives, H2O2 or MPP+. After 24 h, cells were processed with the3-(4,5-dimetiltiazol-2-yl)-2,5-difeniltetrazolio bromide (MTT) reduction assay to evaluate cell viability[3].
Using MTT assay, statistically significant decrease in percentage cell viability was detected following 24 h exposure of H2O2 (50 µM) and MPP+ (0.5 mM). However, the citotoxic effects of H2O2 and MPP+ were attenuated by curcumin and its derivatives. Particularly, a significant increase in percentage cell viability (+15-30% vs control) was recorded after pretreatment with curcumin or its derivatives (40 µM) for 20’ prior to H2O2 exposure. Similarly, was found that curcumin and its derivatives protected PC12 cells against MPP+, with an increase in percentage cell viability of about 12% vs MPP+ group.
These preliminary results show that the natural compound curcumin and its natural-like derivatives protect PC12 cells against MPP+-induced cytotoxicity and H2O2-induced oxidative stress and suggest the potential use of these molecules in the prevention or treatment of PD.
1) Chen J. et al. (2006) – Apoptosis 11: 943-953.
2) Mendoça L. et al. (2009) - Mutation Research 675: 29-34.
3) Migheli R. et al. (1999) - J. Neurochem73:1155–1163.