Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2013, Vol. 8 ›› Issue (15): 1368-1375.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.15.003

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Curcumin ameliorates hippocampal neuron damage induced by human immunodeficiency virus-1

Hongmei Tang1, 2, 3, Rui Pan4, Wenli Fang1, Yanyan Xing1, 2, 3, Dexi Chen5, Xiaobao Chen1, Yuanyuan Yu1, Junbing Wang1, 2, 3, Zheng Gong1, 2, 3, Guoyin Xiong1, 2, 3, Jun Dong1, 2, 3   

  1. 1 Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
    2 Institute of Brain Research, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
    3 Joint Laboratory for Brain Function and Health of Jinan University and the University of Hong Kong, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
    4 Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
    5 STD/AIDS Research Lab, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
  • Received:2012-10-15 Revised:2013-03-29 Online:2013-05-25 Published:2013-05-25
  • Contact: Jun Dong, Master, Doctoral supervisor, Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China; Institute of Brain Research, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China; Joint Laboratory for Brain Function and Health of Jinan University and the University of Hong Kong, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China, donjunbox@163.com.
  • About author:Hongmei Tang★, Master. Hongmei Tang, Rui Pan and Wenli Fang contributed equally to this work.

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Abstract:

Our previous studies have shown that infection with the gp120 V3 loop can cause human immunodeficiency virus-1 associated neurocognitive disorders. Curcumin has been shown to improve these effects to some degree, but the precise mechanisms remain unknown. The present study analyzed the neuroprotective effect and mechanism of curcumin in relation to hippocampal neurons. Results showed that 1 nmol/L gp120 V3 loop suppressed the growth of synapses. After administration of 1 μmol/L curcumin, synaptic growth improved. Curcumin is neuroprotective against gp120 V3 loop-induced neuronal damage by inhibiting the activation of L-type calcium currents, relieving intracellular Ca2+ overload, promoting Bcl-2 expression, and inhibiting Bax activation. The effect of curcumin was identical to nimodipine, suggesting that curcumin has the same neuroprotective effects against gp120 V3 loop-induced neuronal damage.