Curcumin Attenuates Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Cytotoxicity in Human Neuroblastoma SK-N-SH Cells

• Main Authors: Rungtip Soi-ampornkul, Ph.D., Sandeepa Ghimire, B.Sc., Wipawan Thangnipon, Ph.D., Nirut Suwanna, D.V.M., Ph.D., Chinnavuth Vatanashevanopakorn, M.D., Ph.D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Mahidol University 2018-05-01
• Series: Siriraj Medical Journal
• Subjects: Curcumin; apoptosis; anti-oxidant; oxidative stress; SK-N-SH cells; (Siriraj Med J 2018;70: 184-190)
• Online Access: http://www.smj.si.mahidol.ac.th/sirirajmedj/index.php/smj/article/view/2572/2574

Objective: Cellular damage induced by oxidative stress has been involved in the development of neurodegeneration. Curcumin, a dietary polyphenol found in the rhizome of Curcuma longa, has been shown, both in vitro and in vivo, to be an effective reactive oxygen scavenging molecule. We investigated an anti-oxidative effect of curcumin against H2 O2 -induced toxicity in human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-SH. Methods: The SK-N-SH cells were pre-treated with curcumin 2 hours prior to H2 O2 treatment. We measured cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, expression of apoptotic-related proteins and caspase-3 activity 24 hours post H2 O2 -induced cytoxicity. Results: Treatment with curcumin at concentrations ranging from 5 to 50 μg/mL was not cytotoxic. Pre-treatment with curcumin at the concentrations of 5 to 50 μg/mL prior to H2 O2 exposure caused a significant decrease in intracellular ROS levels and a significant increase in cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Expression of activated form of caspase-3 and BAX, a pro-apoptotic protein, measured by Western blotting were reduced when the SK-N- SH cell line was pre-incubated with curcumin. The curcumin pre-treated cells also exhibited less caspase-3 activity. Conclusion: Curcumin has protective effects against H2 O2 -induced toxicity in a dose-dependent manner through its anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative properties in an in vitro H2 O2 -treated SK-N-SH model.