Curcumin attenuates the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV2 microglia.
OBJECTIVE
Pro-inflammatory mediators, such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and nitric oxide (NO), and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha, play pivotal roles in brain injuries. The anti-inflammatory properties are known to be associated with significant reductions in pro-inflammatory mediators in brain injuries. In the present study we investigate whether the effects of curcumin on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglia.


METHODS
Curcumin were administered and their effects on LPS-induced pro-inflammatory mediators were monitored by Western blotting and RT-PCR.


RESULTS
Curcumin significantly inhibited the release of NO, PGE2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner. Curcumin also attenuated the expressions of inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, curcumin suppressed NF-kappaB activation via the translocation of p65 into the nucleus. Our data also indicate that curcumin exerts anti-inflammatory properties by suppressing the transcription of proinflammatory cytokine genes through the NF-kappaB signaling pathway.


CONCLUSIONS
Anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin may be useful for treating the inflammatory and deleterious effects of microglial activation in response to LPS stimulation.
Jin
Cheng-Yun
CY
Department of Microbiology, College of Natural Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan 609-735, Korea.
Lee
Jae-Dong
JD
Park
Cheol
C
Choi
Yung-Hyun
YH
Kim
Gi-Young
GY
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002460:Cell Line; D003474:Curcumin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D017628:Microglia / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016207:Cytokines; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D016328:NF-kappa B; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D003474:Curcumin; D015232:Dinoprostone