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Curcumin treatment protects rat retinal neurons against excitotoxicity: effect on N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced intracellular Ca2+ increase

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Abstract

Curcumin, an extract from the plant Curcuma longa with well-known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, was tested as protective agent against excitotoxicity in rat retinal cultures. A 24 h-treatment with curcumin reduced N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-mediated excitotoxic cell damage, estimated as decrease of cell viability and increase in apoptosis. The protection was associated with decrease of NMDA receptor-mediated Ca2+ rise and reduction in the level of phosphorylated NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor. These results enlighten a new pharmacological action of the plant extract, possibly mediated by a modulation of NMDA receptor activity.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Anna Maria M. Di Stasi for helpful comments and Lamberto Camilli for skilful photographic assistance. This work was partially funded by the Italian Ministry of Health (1% ricerca corrente 2002).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Roma, Italy

    A. Matteucci, S. Paradisi & F. Malchiodi-Albedi

  2. Department of Drug Research and Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161, Roma, Italy

    C. Frank & M. R. Domenici

  3. UTS Biotechnologies, Protection of Health and Ecosystems, ENEA, Via Braccianese, Rome, Italy

    M. Balduzzi

  4. Eye Clinic, University of Catanzar, Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy

    G. Carnovale-Scalzo & G. Scorcia

Authors
  1. A. Matteucci
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  2. C. Frank
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  3. M. R. Domenici
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  4. M. Balduzzi
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  5. S. Paradisi
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  6. G. Carnovale-Scalzo
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  7. G. Scorcia
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  8. F. Malchiodi-Albedi
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Correspondence to F. Malchiodi-Albedi.

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Matteucci, A., Frank, C., Domenici, M.R. et al. Curcumin treatment protects rat retinal neurons against excitotoxicity: effect on N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced intracellular Ca2+ increase. Exp Brain Res 167, 641–648 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-005-0068-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-005-0068-0

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