Conclusions
The protective effects of CUR against H2O2-mediated damage in murine LMSCs may be mediated through the Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.
Methods
Apoptosis, reactive oxygen species, and mitochondrial membrane potential were detected by flow cytometry. Protein levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated x (Bax), cleaved caspase-3, protein kinase B (PKB/Akt), phosphorylated-Akt, nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were evaluated by western blot analysis.
Results
Apoptosis rates in the 2.5, 5, and 10 µM CUR groups were 23.27% ± 0.31%, 14.87% ±0.41%, and 6.47% ± 0.50%, respectively, all of which were lower than in the H2O2 group (24.46% ± 1.35%). Reactive oxygen species levels were decreased, while mitochondrial membrane potential levels were increased in concentration-dependent manners in the CUR groups compared with the H2O2 group. Compared with the H2O2 group, all CUR groups showed reduced cleaved caspase-3 expression, increased Nrf2 and HO-1 expression, and increased Bcl-2/Bax and p-Akt/Akt ratios. Conclusions: The protective effects of CUR against H2O2-mediated damage in murine LMSCs may be mediated through the Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.