BACKGROUND: Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury contributes to mortality and morbidity in preterm infants. Curcumin has been shown to exert neuro-protective effects in the central nervous system (CNS). The aim of this study was to investigate the neuro-protective activity of curcumin and the possible underlying molecular mechanisms.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) protocol was used to simulate I/R injury in vitro. Isolated neonatal neurons were pre-treated with curcumin at serially diluted concentrations and exposed to H/R injury. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed by MTT and flow cytometry, respectively. Contents of TNFa and IL6 in supernatant of cell culture medium were detected by ELISA. Protein expression, phosphorylation, and nuclear translocation levels were studied by Western blotting.

RESULTS: H/R reduced cell viability and increased apoptosis of neurons. H/R significantly increased Wnt5a expression, JNK1 phosphorylation, and NF-κB nuclear translocation. Moreover, expression levels of cleaved caspase3, TNFα, and IL6 were elevated in H/R-exposed neurons. Curcumin pre-treatment significantly increased cell viability and inhibited apoptosis of neurons exposed to H/R, in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, curcumin pre-treatment significantly decreased expression levels of Wnt5a, IL6, TNFα, and phosphorylation level of JNK1, as well as the nuclear translocation level of NF-κB in H/R-exposed neurons, in a concentration-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin exerted neuro-protective effects against H/R-induced neuron apoptosis and inflammation by inhibiting activation of the Wnt/JNK1 signaling pathway.

Keywords: Curcumin, Fetus, Neuroprotective Agents, Pregnancy