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Published on: January 12, 2016
Curcumin ameliorates hippocampal neuron damage induced by human immunodeficiency virus-1
Hongmei Tang1, Rui Pan2, Wenli Fang3
1Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China ; Institute of Brain Research, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China ; Joint Laboratory for Brain Function and Health of Jinan University and the University of Hong Kong, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China.
Abstract:
Our previous studies have shown that infection with the gp120 V3 loop can cause human immunodeficiency virus-1 associated neurocognitive disorders. Curcumin has been shown to improve these effects to some degree, but the precise mechanisms remain unknown. The present study analyzed the neuroprotective effect and mechanism of curcumin in relation to hippocampal neurons. Results showed that 1 nmol/L gp120 V3 loop suppressed the growth of synapses. After administration of 1 μmol/L curcumin, synaptic growth improved. Curcumin is neuroprotective against gp120 V3 loop-induced neuronal damage by inhibiting the activation of L-type calcium currents, relieving intracellular Ca(2+) overload, promoting Bcl-2 expression, and inhibiting Bax activation. The effect of curcumin was identical to nimodipine, suggesting that curcumin has the same neuroprotective effects against gp120 V3 loop-induced neuronal damage.
