Cardioprotective potential of curcumin against norepinephrine‐induced cell death: a microscopic study

Abstract

Cardiomyopathy and associated heart failure continues to be one of the most severe complications that threaten a large population. Curcumin, one of the three curcuminoids of the spice turmeric, is very well known for a multitude of health benefits and functions. Norepinephrine (NE), a catecholamine and also a stress hormone may cause the cardiomyocytes to develop increased sensitivity to death with its increasing concentrations. In this study, we investigated the cardioprotective effect of curcumin in NE-induced cardiac apoptosis using several fluorescent and nonfluorescent microscopic techniques like DAPI, PI, Giemsa, PicroSirius and TUNEL. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of curcumin in preventing the occurrence of features underlying apoptosis such as nuclear disruption, chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation and alterations in mitochondrial membrane permeability. Our results show that curcumin protects the cardiomyocytes against apoptosis significantly and also helps them to revert to their normal physiological state. Hence, we propose that curcumin has the potential to act as a therapeutic agent for the attenuation of NE-induced cardiac cell death and modulation of apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyocytes.

Bioactivity, Health Benefits, and Related Molecular Mechanisms of Curcumin: Current Progress, Challenges, and Perspectives

“…For instance, curcumin protects against norepinephrine-induced hypertrophic stress and maintains extracellular matrix remodeling by inhibiting the increased collagen content under hypertrophic stress, and suppressing enhanced gelatinase B expression and gelatinolytic activity in H9c2 cardiomyocytes [ 155 ]. It has also been found that curcumin prevents cardiomyocytes from norepinephrine-induced apoptosis and restores their physiological status [ 156 ]. In addition, the administration of curcumin can attenuate the cytotoxicity of hemiscorpius lepturus venom, which damages the mitochondrial respiratory chain and results in ATP depletion, death signaling, and consequent cardiomyocytes apoptosis [ 157 ].…”

Multifaceted physiological and therapeutical impact of curcumin on hormone‐related endocrine dysfunctions: A comprehensive review

“…Moving to the realm of cardioprotection, Manghani et al (2017) investigated the influence of Cur on cardiomyocyte apoptosis induced by NE. NE, a stress hormone, can contribute to cardiac apoptosis, leading to heart failure.…”

“…The study demonstrated that Cur plays a crucial role in safeguarding cardiomyocytes against NE‐induced apoptosis, providing insights into its potential application in preventing cardiac cell death and modulating apoptosis. The implications of Cur in cardiac health add another layer to its multifaceted therapeutic potential (Manghani et al, 2017). The study of Wang et al (2021) delved into the impact of Cur on glioma progression induced by adverse psychological stress.…”