Curcumin protects rat hippocampal neurons against pseudorabies virus by regulating the BDNF/TrkB pathway

Abstract

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) infection can elicit nervous system disorders. Curcumin has been reported to have neuroprotective effects. However, whether curcumin can protect neurons against PRV infection and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, for the first time, the protective effects of curcumin against PRV-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction in rat hippocampal neurons and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) pathway were investigated. Results indicated that PRV with a titer of 3.06 × 106 TCID50 (50% tissue culture infective dose) induced oxidative damage of hippocampal neurons 2 h post-infection and that 10 μM curcumin improved the viability of PRV-infected hippocampal neurons. Blocking the BDNF/TrkB pathway reversed the neuroprotective effects of curcumin, which were imparted by decreasing the PRV-induced upregulation of nitric oxide synthase expression, repressing the PRV-activated mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, and mitochondrial dysfunction. To conclude, curcumin exhibited a neuroprotective role against PRV infection by upregulating the BDNF/TrkB pathway. This study provides insight into the anti-PRV neuroprotective application of curcumin and the underlying mechanism in the prophylaxis and treatment of neurological disorders caused by PRV infection.

Hyperoside Attenuate Inflammation in HT22 Cells via Upregulating SIRT1 to Activities Wnt/β-Catenin and Sonic Hedgehog Pathways

“…In the development of neuronal, BDNF, as an important nerve growth factors, plays an important role in the growth, survival, and differentiation of neurons [ 32 ]. BDNF enhances neuronal survival and protects synaptic function by binding to tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) [ 33 , 34 ]. Simultaneously, BDNF promotes neuronal outward growth and recombination of dendritic spines, thereby improving neuronal connectivity [ 35 ].…”

Changes in depressive-like behaviors induced by spinal cord injury based on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and hippocampal neurogenesis

“…Masi et al [15] have also shown that HPA caused the brain (particularly the hippocampus) to be exposed to corticosteroids, affecting neurobehavioral functions with an impairment of the AHN and that might be a major factor in the pathophysiology of depression. Additionally, many studies have indicated that the decreased expression of hippocampal BDNF and TrkB also inhibited AHN [39,40]. It was therefore speculated that the decrease in hippocampal DCX expression after SCI may have been caused by downregulation of BDNF and TrkB beginning on day seven after SCI, which might simultaneously contribute to the development of depressive-like behaviors.…”

Application Potential of Plant-Derived Medicines in Prevention and Treatment of Platinum-Induced Peripheral Neurotoxicity

“…It is commonly used as a natural coloring agent and as a natural food additive (spice) ( González-Salazar et al, 2011 ). Curcumin has been reported to exert antioxidant, chemo-preventive, and neuroprotective effects ( Yang et al, 2020 ). In recent years, increasing efforts have been engaged to reveal the pharmacological mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of curcumin.…”