Curcumin induces thermotolerance by reducing oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation in buffalo mammary epithelial cells under heat shock conditions

• Published in: Journal of reproductive immunology Vol. 153; p. 103684
• Main Authors: Grewal, Sonika, Aggarwal, Anjali, Vats, Preeti, Rani, Sarita, Jaswal, Shalini, Pal, Prasanna, Senthamilan, S., Arya, Ashwani, Mohanty, Ashok K, Alhussien, Mohanned Naif
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.09.2022
• Subjects: Antioxidant; Buffalo; Curcumin; Heat stress; Mammary epithelial cell; Curcumin; Heat stress; Antioxidant; Mammary epithelial cell; Buffalo
• ISSN: 0165-0378; 1872-7603
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2022.103684

The epithelial cell is the main basic unit of the udder in which milk synthesis takes place. Curcumin is well known for its antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti- inflammatory properties. The present study was performed to test whether in vitro curcumin supplementation can alleviate the unfavorable impact of hyperthermia on buffalo mammary epithelial cells (BuMECs). The spontaneously immortalized BuMECs were divided into 7 groups (n = 9); 1) unstressed BuMECs (negative control, 37 °C); 2) BuMECs exposed to hyperthermia without curcumin treatment (positive control); 3–7) BuMECs cultured with different concentrations of curcumin (5, 10, 20, 40 and 60 μM), respectively, followed by hyperthermic exposure (42ºC) for 1 h and then returned to 37ºC. Changes in viability (MTT assay), proliferation (BrdU colorimetric immunoassay) and concentrations of antioxidant enzymes, CAT, and SOD (ELISA) of BuMECs were recorded. The gene expression study was performed using qRT-PCR. Lower concentrations of curcumin (5, 10 μM) maintained viability, enhanced proliferation, and content of antioxidant enzymes of heat stressed BuMECs. Curcumin induced thermotolerance and antioxidant status by upregulating the expression of antioxidants genes, anti-apoptotic genes and heat shock proteins in heat stressed BuMECs compared to the positive control group. Besides, curcumin reduced apoptosis and inflammation in BuMECs exposed to hyperthermia by downregulating the expression of genes and transcriptional factors associated with apoptosis and inflammatory immune response. The results reveal the potential roles of curcumin in eliminating the negative impact of hyperthermia on BuMECs by regulating the pathways of apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. [Display omitted] •In vitro curcumin treatment alleviated the impact of hyperthermia on buffalo mammary epithelial cells (BuMECs).•Curcumin enhanced thermotolerance of BuMECs by inducing the expression of HSPs.•Curcumin enhanced proliferation of BuMECs by regulating the expression of apoptotic genes.•Curcumin reduced oxidative stress in BuMECs by inducing the expression of antioxidant molecules.•Curcumin lowered inflammation in BuMECs by suppressing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.