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

• DOI: 10.1007/s12264-012-1238-2
• Publication Date: 2012-05-20T08:53:59Z
• Authors: Xi-Xun Du; Hua-Min Xu; Hong Jiang; Ning Song; Jun Wang; Jun-Xia Xie
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Curcumin; Dopaminergic Neurons; Iron; Iron Chelating Agents; Rats; 3. Good health; Substantia Nigra; Disease Models, Animal; 03 medical and health sciences; Neuroprotective Agents; Animals; Female; Parkinson Disease, Secondary; Rats, Wistar; Oxidopamine

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.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.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.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.