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Curcumin protects nigral dopaminergic neurons by iron-chelation in the 6-hydroxydopamine rat model of Parkinson’s disease

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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-OHDAlesioned 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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Prevention of Neurological Disorders and State Key Disciplines: Physiology, Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, China

    Xi-Xun Du, Hua-Min Xu, Hong Jiang, Ning Song, Jun Wang & Jun-Xia Xie

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  1. Xi-Xun Du
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  2. Hua-Min Xu
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  3. Hong Jiang
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  4. Ning Song
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  5. Jun Wang
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  6. Jun-Xia Xie
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Correspondence to Jun-Xia Xie.

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Du, XX., Xu, HM., Jiang, H. et al. Curcumin protects nigral dopaminergic neurons by iron-chelation in the 6-hydroxydopamine rat model of Parkinson’s disease. Neurosci. Bull. 28, 253–258 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12264-012-1238-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12264-012-1238-2

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