阿魏酸钠对抗Aβ25-35诱导的鼠神经元凋亡作用研究

目的 探讨阿魏酸钠对β淀粉样蛋白(Aβ25-35)通过谷氨酸诱导的鼠皮层神经元凋亡的影响.方法 培养的皮层神经元分别与谷氨酸(20μmol/L)、Aβ25-35(5μmol/L)、Aβ25-35(5μmol/L)+谷氨酸(20μmol/L)孵育,采用Hoechst 33258荧光染色法分析神经细胞凋亡;然后用谷氨酸( 50μmol/L)诱导神经元凋亡,采用荧光染色法和Westem blot观察阿魏酸钠的保护作用.结果 单独应用Aβ25-35(5μmol/L)和单独加入谷氮酸(20μmol/L)引起的皮层神经元凋亡率与对照组无明显差异;Aβ25-35与皮层神经元共同孵育5天,接着用谷氨酸处理24h,细胞凋亡率从正常的9.2%+1.5%增加到43%±8%:阿魏酸钠能够显著降低谷氨酸诱导的神经细胞凋亡百分比至21%±5%,并对抗谷氨酸引起的Bcl-2蛋白表达的降低.结论 阿魏酸钠能够减弱Aβ25-35提高谷氨酸毒性诱导的鼠皮层神经元凋亡.     

阿托伐他汀对谷氨酸引起大鼠神经元损伤保护作用机制的研究

目的探讨阿托伐他汀对谷氨酸所致培养大鼠皮层神经元损伤保护作用的机制。方法 MTT法测定细胞存活率;Hoechst33258核染色观察细胞凋亡的形态学改变;Western blot检测活性的半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶-3(caspase-3)和钙蛋白酶Ⅰ蛋白表达水平。结果谷氨酸(100μmol.L-1)可使神经元细胞存活率下降,细胞凋亡百分比明显增加,活性的caspase-3和钙蛋白酶Ⅰ蛋白表达增加。阿托伐他汀明显对抗谷氨酸诱导的神经元存活率下降及细胞凋亡百分比增加,同时明显抑制活性的caspase-3和钙蛋白酶Ⅰ蛋白表达增加。磷酯酰肌醇-3激酶(phos-phoinositide3-kinase,PI3K)/磷酸化蛋白激酶B(protein ki-nase B,Akt)通路特异性阻断剂LY294002(10μmol.L-1)能抑制阿托伐他汀对抗谷氨酸引起神经元细胞存活率下降,细胞凋亡百分比增加及活性caspase-3和钙蛋白酶Ⅰ蛋白表达增加的作用。结论阿托伐他汀能够明显对抗谷氨酸引起的皮层神经元损伤作用,这种作用可能与激活PI3K/Akt信号转导通路有关。     

毒胡萝卜素诱导大鼠皮层神经元内质网应激及丹红注射液的干预作用

目的：探讨毒胡萝卜紊诱导大鼠皮层神经元内质网应激凋亡的机制及丹红注射液的干预作用。方法：体外培养SD乳鼠皮层神经元，免疫组织化学、免疫荧光染色鉴定神经元纯度。流式细胞术Annexin V、PI双标检测凋亡率及活性caspase-3、caspase-8、caspase-7、caspase-9表达，Western Noting免疫印迹分析caspase-12、GRP78、Bcl-2、细胞色素C蛋白表达，Fura-2／AM法荧光分光光度计检测细胞内钙浓度（[Ca^2＋]i）。结果：SD乳鼠皮层神经元可纯化体外培养。2μmol／L毒胡萝卜素作用神经元24、48h细胞凋亡率分别是17.88％、21.38％，丹红治疗组分别是6．30％、6．11％，两组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。毒胡萝卜素诱导神经元GRP78表达上调，剪切活化caspase-3、caspase-8、caspase-9、caspase-12，使细胞色素C表达增加，Bcl-2表达减少。丹红注射液促进细胞Bcl-2表达，抑制细胞色素C释放，减少活化的caspase-3、caspase-8、caspase-9含量，稳定游离钙浓度。结论：毒胡萝卜素诱导神经元内质网应激反应性凋亡。丹红注射液能抑制体外培养神经元内质网应激所致凋亡。     

榄香烯抑制Raf/MEK/ERK信号通路诱导人源胶质瘤U87细胞凋亡

目的探讨莪术提取物榄香烯体外诱导胶质瘤细胞凋亡的机制。方法采用流式细胞术、West-ern印迹等方法,分别检测不同浓度榄香烯对人源U87胶质瘤细胞的凋亡诱导及其对U87细胞Raf-1、ERK、癌基因Bcl-2蛋白质表达的影响。结果榄香烯对人源U87胶质瘤细胞具有明显的凋亡诱导作用,该增殖抑制效应呈时间依赖性。榄香烯可明显下调U87细胞的磷酸化Raf-1、ERK、Bcl-2表达。结论体外榄香烯对胶质瘤细胞具有明显的凋亡诱导作用(呈时间依赖性),抑制Raf/MEK/ERK信号通路,从而下调其下游信号癌基因Bcl-2的表达,最终启动凋亡程序可能是榄香烯诱导U87细胞凋亡的机制。     

N-硬脂酰酪氨酸对缺氧缺糖诱导神经元凋亡的影响

目的 探讨N-硬脂酰酪氨酸(NsTyr)对缺氧缺糖(OGD)诱导大鼠皮层神经元损伤的影响及作用机制.方法 采用MTT法及Hoechst 33342染色检测NsTyr对OGD诱导神经元损伤及凋亡的影响:通过免疫印迹法探讨NsTyr抗OGD诱导神经元凋亡的分子机制,并使用丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)通路的特异性阻断剂SB203580、SP600125和U0126考察其抗凋亡的信号转导通路.结果 NsTyr对OGD造成的皮层神经元损伤有剂量相关的保护作用,促进细胞存活,减少细胞凋亡;NsTyr通过上调Bcl-2表达、下调Bax表达,保持Bcl-2/Bax的平衡,实现抗OGD损伤的作用,该作用通过ERK和p38信号通路介导.结论 NsTyr可通过ERK和p38信号通路调节凋亡基因的表达,抑制OGD引起的神经元凋亡.     

三萜皂苷Saxifragifolin D抑制人肝癌耐药细胞HepG2/ADM生长并诱导细胞凋亡作用研究

目的研究Saxifragifolin D(SD)对人肝癌耐药细胞HepG2/ADM的生长抑制及诱导凋亡作用。方法采用MTT法观察SD对HepG2/ADM细胞的增殖抑制作用,应用流式细胞仪分析SD对细胞周期的影响,AnnexinⅤ-FITC/PI双染检测凋亡细胞比率,JC-1染色观察SD对细胞内线粒体膜电位的影响,Western blot检测凋亡相关蛋白caspase-9,caspase-3和PARP的激活及c-Raf,MEK和ERK蛋白的表达和磷酸化水平。结果 SD可以明显抑制人肝癌耐药细胞HepG2/ADM的增殖。细胞周期检测发现SD诱导细胞产生亚二倍体凋亡峰,同时细胞凋亡率也由对照组的5.3%增加到34.8%和47.8%。线粒体膜电位检测结果显示SD导致细胞内线粒体膜电位的明显降低。Western blot检测结果表明caspase-9,caspase-3被激活,PARP被剪切活化,cytochrome C由线粒体释放至胞质,c-Raf、MEK和ERK蛋白的磷酸化水平降低。结论 SD可以抑制人肝癌耐药细胞HepG2/ADM增殖并诱导其凋亡,作用机制可能与线粒体功能障碍及抑制c-Raf/MEK/ERK通路的活化有关。     

新型抗肝癌化合物CBI-5725对RAF/MEK/ERK通路及癌细胞凋亡的影响

目的评价一种新型的化合物CBI-5725对人类肝癌细胞系PLC/PRF/5的抗癌作用,并通过与治疗肝癌的靶向药物索拉非尼(Sorafenib)对比,揭示CBI-5725的作用机制。方法用AlarmaBlue法检测并比较CBI-5725或索拉非尼对肝癌细胞的抑制作用。采用Western blot法检测CBI-5725或索拉非尼对肝癌细胞中RAF/MEK/ERK通路磷酸化的影响。采用Annexin V-FITC/PI双染色法检测CBI-5725或索拉非尼对细胞凋亡的影响,采用Western blot法检测CBI-5725或索拉非尼对caspase-3和PARP的影响。采用小鼠肿瘤模型检验CBI-5725的体内抗肿瘤活性。结果与索拉非尼相比,CBI-5725更能有效抑制肝癌细胞的增殖,诱导细胞凋亡,激活caspase-3和PARP。此外,CBI-5725与索拉非尼相同程度地抑制RAF/MEK/ERK信号通路的磷酸化。在PLC/PRF/5小鼠肿瘤模型中,在6～18 mg/kg的剂量范围内,CBI-5725几乎完全抑制肿瘤生长。结论 CBI-5725可能作为一种有效的抗肿瘤药物替代索拉非尼用于肝癌患者的治疗,其机制与抑制RAF/MEK/ERK信号通路、启动caspase-3诱导的细胞凋亡有关。     

知母皂苷元对谷氨酸引起的皮层神经元损伤的保护作用研究

目的观察知母皂苷元(Sarsasapogenin,SAR)对谷氨酸引起的皮层神经元损伤的保护作用。方法大鼠乳鼠大脑皮层神经元,培养7 d后用于实验。倒置相差显微镜观察神经元树突生长发育情况;用MTT法测定细胞活力;Ho-echst33258核染色观察细胞凋亡的形态学改变;Western印迹法检测神经元SYP、caspase-3、钙蛋白酶Ⅰ蛋白表达水平。结果形态学观察结果显示谷氨酸可明显抑制神经元树突的生长发育,表现为神经元树突总长度明显降低、一级树突数目明显减少、最大分支级数明显减少及胞体面积缩小。SAR(10、30、100μmol.L-1)可明显抑制谷氨酸对神经元树突生长发育的抑制作用,并呈明显浓度依赖。MTT和Ho-echst33258核染色结果显示谷氨酸可降低神经元细胞活力及增加神经元细胞凋亡百分比。SAR(10、30、100μmol.L-1)能明显对抗谷氨酸引起的神经元细胞活力降低及细胞凋亡百分比增加。Western印迹结果显示谷氨酸可明显降低SYP蛋白表达水平及增加活性caspase-3、钙蛋白酶Ⅰ蛋白表达水平。SAR(10、30、100μmol.L-1)可明显对抗谷氨酸引起SYP蛋白表达降低及活性caspase-3、钙蛋白酶Ⅰ蛋白表达增加。结论知母皂苷元能够明显对抗谷氨酸引起的皮层神经元损伤作用。     

阿魏酸钠通过JNK信号传导通路对抗Aβ_(1-42)引起的海马神经元凋亡

目的研究阿魏酸钠(SF)对Aβ1-42所致培养海马神经元凋亡的抑制作用及机制。方法原代培养海马神经元,SF(50、100、200μmol.L-1)预处理6 h后,加入50 nmol.L-1的Aβ1-42作用72 h,JNK阻断剂SP600125(5μmol.L-1)在加入SF前30 min加入,Hoechst33258核染色观察细胞凋亡变化,ELISA法检测细胞色素C释放量,Western蛋白印迹法检测神经元Bcl-2,Bax,Caspase-3及JNK蛋白表达。结果与对照组相比,Aβ1-42组海马神经元细胞的凋亡率及释放的细胞色素C含量明显增加(P<0.01),Bax与bcl-2蛋白表达比值,磷酸化的Caspase-3及磷酸化JNK蛋白表达明显增加(P<0.01)。应用SF(50、100、200μmol.L-1)预处理6 h可明显对抗Aβ1-42引起的海马神经元细胞凋亡、细胞色素C释放量,SF(100μmol.L-1)能抑制蛋白表达的改变(P<0.01),JNK阻断剂也能抑制Aβ1-42引起的这些改变。结论 SF通过抑制JNK信号传导通路对抗Aβ1-42引起的海马神经元损伤。     

吡格列酮对谷氨酸诱导皮质神经元损伤保护作用及其抑制JNK信号的机制

目的观察吡格列酮对谷氨酸所致培养皮质神经元损伤的保护作用及作用机制。方法大鼠乳鼠大脑皮质神经元,培养7d后用于实验。实验分为对照组、谷氨酸组、谷氨酸+吡格列酮组、谷氨酸+SP600125组、SP600125组。用MTT法测定细胞活力;Hoechst33258核染色观察细胞凋亡的形态学改变;免疫荧光染色法检测磷酸化活化转录因子2(phospho-ATF2)的表达;Western blot检测磷酸化JNK1和JNK1总量的蛋白表达水平。结果谷氨酸(100μmol.L-1)作用24h可使体外培养的皮质神经元细胞活力明显下降,细胞凋亡百分比明显增加,磷酸化JNK1蛋白水平(谷氨酸作用2h后检测)和磷酸化ATF2表达明显增加。吡格列酮明显对抗谷氨酸引起的皮质神经元损伤,同时明显抑制谷氨酸引起的磷酸化JNK1及磷酸化ATF2表达增多。JNK抑制剂SP600125明显对抗谷氨酸引起的神经元损伤及phos-pho-ATF2表达增多。结论吡格列酮对谷氨酸引起的培养皮质神经元损伤具有明显的保护作用,吡格列酮的保护作用与抑制JNK信号转导通路有关。     

Neuroprotection by sodium ferulate against glutamate-induced apoptosis is mediated by ERK and PI3 kinase pathways

Aim： To investigate whether sodium ferulate （SF） can protect cortical neurons from glutamate-induced neurotoxicity and the mechanisms responsible for this protection. Methods： Cultured cortical neurons were incubated with 50 μmol/L glutamate for either 30 min or 24 h, with or without pre-incubation with SF （100, 200, and 500 pmol/L, respectively）. LY294002, wortmannin, PD98059, and U0126 were added respectively to the cells 1 h prior to SF treatment. After incubation with glutamate for 24 h, neuronal apoptosis was quantified by scoring the per- centage of cells with apoptotic nuclear morphology after Hoechst 33258 staining. After incubation with glutamate for either 30 rain or 24 h, cellular extracts were prepared for Western blotting of active caspase-3, poly （ADP-ribose） polymerase （PARP）, μ-calpain, Bcl-2, phospho-Akt, phosphorylated ribosomal protein S6 pro- tein kinase （p70S6K）, phospho-mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase （MEK1/2） and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK） 1/2. Results： SF reduced glutamate-evoked apoptotic morphology, active caspase-3 protein expression, and PARP cleavage and inhibited the glutamate-induced upregulation of the ~-calpain protein level. The inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （P13K） and the MEK/ERK1/2 pathways partly abrogated the protective effect of SF against glutamate-induced neuronal apoptosis. SF prevented the glutamate- induced decrease in the activity of the PI3K/Akt/p70S6K and the MEK/ERK1/2 pathways. Moreover, incubation of cortical neurons with SF for 30 min inhibited the reduction of the Bcl-2 expression induced by glutamate. Conclusion： The results indicate that PI3K/Akt/p70S6K and the MEK/ERK signaling pathways play important roles in the protective effect of SF against glutamate toxicity in cortical neurons.     

2-甲基-正丁酰紫草素诱导人胃癌SGC-7901细胞凋亡机制的研究

2-甲基-正丁酰紫草素[(2-methyl-n-butyl)shikonin,MBS,图1]是从紫草科植物紫草的根部提取得到的一个萘醌类化合物。研究表明,紫草素具有抗炎、抗菌、抗肿瘤的作用[1?3]。体外实验证实紫草素通过增加caspase-3的活化诱导多种肿瘤细胞的凋亡,如白     

The neuroprotective action of pyrroloquinoline quinone against glutamate-induced apoptosis in hippocampal neurons is mediated through the activation of PI3K/Akt pathway

Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a cofactor in several enzyme-catalyzed redox reactions, possesses a potential capability of scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibiting cell apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the effects of PQQ on glutamate-induced cell death in primary cultured hippocampal neurons and the possible underlying mechanisms. We found that glutamate-induced apoptosis in cultured hippocampal neurons was significantly attenuated by the ensuing PQQ treatment, which also inhibited the glutamate-induced increase in Ca2+ influx, caspase-3 activity, and ROS production, and reversed the glutamate-induced decrease in Bcl-2/Bax ratio. The examination of signaling pathways revealed that PQQ treatment activated the phosphorylation of Akt and suppressed the glutamate-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK). And inhibition of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt cascade by LY294002 and wortmannin significantly blocked the protective effects of PQQ, and alleviated the increase in Bcl-2/Bax ratio. Taken together, our results indicated that PQQ could protect primary cultured hippocampal neurons against glutamate-induced cell damage by scavenging ROS, reducing Ca2+ influx, and caspase-3 activity, and suggested that PQQ-activated PI3K/Akt signaling might be responsible for its neuroprotective action through modulation of glutamate-induced imbalance between Bcl-2 and Bax.     

Honokiol-induced neurite outgrowth promotion depends on activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2)

We have found that honokiol [4-allyl-2-(3-allyl-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-phenol] can promote neurite outgrowth and mobilize intracellular Ca2+ store in primary cultured rat cortical neurons. In this study, we examined the effects of honokiol on extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK1/2) and Akt, and their possible relationship to neurite outgrowth and Ca2+ mobilization. Honokiol-induced neurite outgrowth in the cultured rat cortical neurons was significantly reduced by PD98059, a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK, MAPK/ERK kinase MEK, direct upstream of ERK1/2) inhibitor, but not by LY294002, a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K, upstream of Akt) inhibitor. Honokiol also significantly enhanced the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in a concentration-dependent manner, whereas the effect of honokiol on Akt phosphorylation was characterized by transient enhancement in 10 min and lasting inhibition after 30 min. The phosphorylation of ERK1/2 enhanced by honokiol was inhibited by PD98059 as well as by KN93, a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMK II) inhibitor. Moreover, the products of the phosphoinositide specific phospholipase C (PLC)-derived inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) and 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) were measured after honokiol treatment. Together with our previous findings, these results suggest that the signal transduction from PLC, IP3, Ca2+, and CaMK II to ERK1/2 is involved in honokiol-induced neurite outgrowth.     

乌司他丁对脑出血大鼠局部黏着斑激酶 /细胞外信号调节激酶信号通路及神经元凋亡的影响

目的探讨乌司他丁( UTI)对脑出血( ICH)大鼠局部黏着斑激酶( FAK)/细胞外信号调节激酶( ERK)信号通路及神经元凋亡的影响。方法建立 ICH大鼠模型,使用随机数字表法将造模成功的大鼠随机分为模型组(尾静脉注射 0.9%氯化钠溶液)、抑制剂组( FAK抑制剂 PF562271,50 mg/kg灌胃)、 UTI组(尾静脉注射 10万 U/kg UTI)、 UTI+抑制剂组( FAK抑制剂 PF562271,50 mg/kg灌胃同时尾静脉注射 10万 U/kg UTI)每组 20只,另设 20只为假手术组(尾静脉注射 0.9%氯化钠溶液)作为对照,所有处理均每天 1次,连续 7d。干湿比重法测定各,组大鼠脑组织含水率;酶联免疫吸附(ELISA)法各组大鼠血清中炎性因子含量;原位末端标记( TUNEL)法检测各组大鼠海马组织神经元凋亡;免疫组织化学分析法检测大鼠海马组织抗凋亡因子 B细胞淋巴瘤 -2(Bcl-2)和促凋亡因子 Bcl相关 X(Bax)、胱天蛋白酶 3(caspase-3)表达;尼氏染色法检测各组大鼠海马组织中神经元存活情况;蛋白质印迹法( Western blotting)法检测大鼠海马组织中 FAK蛋白表达和 ERK1/2磷酸化水平。结果与假手术组相比,模型组大鼠脑组织含水率( 84.51±7.42)%、炎性因子含量、神经元凋亡指数( 44.51±3.77)%以及促凋亡因子 Bax(3.05±0.41)、 caspase-3(3.27±0.46)表达和 ERK1/2磷酸化水平升高,神经元存活数目、抑凋亡因子 Bcl-2(1.23±0.21)表达以及 FAK(0.29±0.07)蛋白表达水平降低( P<0.05)。与模型组相比, UTI组大鼠脑组织含水率(71.43±6.11)%、炎性因子含量、神经元凋亡指数( 15.34±0.76)%以及促凋亡因子 Bax(2.03±0.15)、 caspcase-3(2.27±0.61)表达和 ERK1/2磷酸化水平降低,神经元存活数目、抑凋亡因子 Bcl-2(2.67±0.27)表达以及 FAK(0.58±0.09)蛋白表达升高( P<0.05);抑制剂组大鼠脑组织含水率( 92.83±7.56)%、炎性因子含量、神经元凋亡指数( 51.99±5.65)%以及促凋亡因子 Bax(3.73±0.37)、 caspcase-3(3.99±0.26)表达和 ERK1/2磷酸化水平升高,神经元存活数目、抑凋亡因子 Bcl-2(0.73±0.06)表达以及 FAK(0.12±0.02)蛋白表达水平降低( P<0.05)。与 UTI组相比, UTI+抑制剂组大鼠脑组织含水率( 84.16±6.76)%、炎性因子含量、神经元凋亡指数( 43.22±4.07)%以及促凋亡因子 Bax(2.98±0.35)、 caspcase-3(3.26±0.31)表达和 ERK1/2磷酸化水平升高,神经元存活数目、抑凋亡因子 Bcl-2(1.27±0.12)表达以 及 FAK(0.28±0.03)蛋白表达水平降低( P<0.05)。结论 UTI可通过促进 FAK蛋白表达,抑制 ERK磷酸化,进而抑制 ICH大鼠神经元凋亡。     

PD98059 triggers G1 arrest and apoptosis in human leukemic U937 cells through downregulation of Akt signal pathway

MEK/ERK pathways are frequently activated in acute myelogenous leukemia, and this signal pathway's inhibitor has made it an interesting candidate for cancer chemotherapy. Little is known, however, about the effects of cellular and molecular mechanisms on human leukemic U937 cells. In the present study, we found that treatment with PD98059 significantly arrests the G1 phase through up-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) inhibitor, and produces morphological features of apoptosis in U937 cells, which were associated with poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP) cleavage and PLC-gamma1 degradation. PD98059 also decreased the Cdk-2, Cdk-4, cyclin D1, and cyclin E expression, and increased high levels of the mitotic inhibitors p16(INIa), p21(Waf1), and p27(Kip1). Also, Bcl-2's overexpression and a caspase-3 inhibitor z-DEVD-fmk significantly attenuated PD98059-induced apoptosis through the down-regulation of caspase-3 activity, but did not attenuate G1 phase arrest. Moreover, PD98059 down-regulated Akt phosphorylation and produced a synergy effect of apoptosis with LY294002 co-treatment. Thus, our results imply that PD98059-induced apoptosis is significantly involved in down-regulation of Bcl-2, caspase-3 activity, the Akt pathway, and some of the biological functions in U937 cells.     

Curcumin protects mitochondria from oxidative damage and attenuates apoptosis in cortical neurons

AIM: To investigate the effect of curcumin on tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative damage in rat cortical neurons and to explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: Primary cultured rat cortical neurons wereperformed in vitro and cell viability was measured by MTT assay. DNA fragmentation was used to evaluate cellapoptosis. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (Aψm) was determined by flow cytometric assay. Cellular glutathione (GSH) content was measured by spectrophotometer.‘ Bcl-2family proteins, cytochrome c, cleaved caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) were detected byWestern blot. RESULTS: Exposure of tBHP 100 μmol/L to neurons for 60 rain resulted in △ψm loss and cyto-chrome c release from mitochondria and subsequent activation of caspase-3 and PARP cleavation, and cell apoptosis.After removal of tBHP and then further treatment with curcumin (2.5-20 μmol/L) for 18 h, curcumin abrogated △ψm loss and cytochrome c release, blocked activation of caspase 3, and altered the expression of Bcl-2 family.Further curcumin treatment also prevented cellular GSH and decreased intracellular ROS generation markedly.Curcumin eventually attenuated tBHP-induced apoptosis in cortical neurons. CONCLUSION: Curcumin mayattenuate oxidative damages in cortical neurons by reducing intracellular production of ROS and protecting mito-chondria from oxidative damage.