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Curcumin Improves Outcomes and Attenuates Focal Cerebral Ischemic Injury via Antiapoptotic Mechanisms in Rats

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Abstract

Curcumin, a member of the curcuminoid family of compounds, is a yellow colored phenolic pigment obtained from the powdered rhizome of C. longa Linn. Recent studies have demonstrated that curcumin has protective effects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, little is known about its mechanism. In the present study, we tested the effects of curcumin in focal cerebral ischemia in rats and the possible mechanisms. Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were treated with curcumin (100, 300 and 500 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally after 60 min of occlusion (beginning of reperfusion). Neurological score and infarct volume were assessed at 24 and 72 h. Oxidative stress was evaluated by malondialdehyde assay and the apoptotic mechanisms were studied by Western blotting. Curcumin treatment significantly reduced infarct volume and improved neurological scores at different time points compared with the vehicle-treated group. Curcumin treatment decreased malondialdehyde levels, cytochrome c, and cleaved caspase 3 expression and increased mitochondrial Bcl-2 expression. Inhibition of oxidative stress with curcumin treatment improves outcomes after focal cerebral ischemia. This neuroprotective effect is likely exerted by antiapoptotic mechanisms.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from the Science and Technology Foundation of Chongqing Medical University, China (XBYB2007089).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathophysiology, Molecular Medicine and Tumor Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China

    Jing Zhao & Weiping Zheng

  2. Department of Pathology, Molecular Medicine and Tumor Center, Chongqing Medical University, Yixueyuan Road 1, 400016, Chongqing, China

    Shanshan Yu, Gang Feng, Guobiao Luo, Linli Wang & Yong Zhao

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  1. Jing Zhao
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  2. Shanshan Yu
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  3. Weiping Zheng
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  4. Gang Feng
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  5. Guobiao Luo
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  6. Linli Wang
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  7. Yong Zhao
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Correspondence to Yong Zhao.

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Zhao, J., Yu, S., Zheng, W. et al. Curcumin Improves Outcomes and Attenuates Focal Cerebral Ischemic Injury via Antiapoptotic Mechanisms in Rats. Neurochem Res 35, 374–379 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-009-0065-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-009-0065-y

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