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Evaluation of the Neuroprotective Effects of Curcuminoids on B35 and SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells

Mufti S, Bautista A and Pino-Figueroa A

Curcumin is the main curcuminoid found in the yellow spice turmeric, a prominent member of the ginger family. Studies have revealed that curcumin exhibits numerous beneficial effects such as the ability to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. The present study examines the neuroprotective effects of curcumin in vitro by subjecting B35 and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells to hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) followed or preceded by treating them with curcumin. Using curcumin concentrations of 5, 10 and 20 µM before and after damaging the cells with H2 O2 has resulted in an increase in cell viability of B35 neuroblastoma cells. In contrast, SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells showed an increase in their viability only upon the post-treatment with curcumin. The inhibitory effect of curcumin on caspase-3 and caspase-9, two of the most important mediators in the process of apoptosis, was also examined. We found that curcumin inhibited caspase-3 in a concentration-dependent manner, but not caspase-9. Using 5, 10, and 20 µM of curcumin resulted in 2.6%, 7.9% and 12.2% caspase-3 inhibition, respectively. These findings suggest that curcumin acts as a neuroprotectant and an anti-apoptotic agent through the inhibition of caspase-3, thereby introducing a potential agent for the treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.