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  • Title: Curcumin protects nigral dopaminergic neurons by iron-chelation in the 6-hydroxydopamine rat model of Parkinson's disease.
    Author: Du XX, Xu HM, Jiang H, Song N, Wang J, Xie JX.
    Journal: Neurosci Bull; 2012 Jun; 28(3):253-8. PubMed ID: 22622825.
    Abstract:
    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 different 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 iron-chelating activity of curcumin to suppress the iron-induced degeneration of nigral dopaminergic neurons.
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