Curcumin Activates Erythrocyte Membrane Acetylcholinesterase

Curcumin ((1E,6E)-1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione) is a naturally occurring polyphenol. We have investigated effects of curcumin on human erythrocytes membrane naïve and subjected to in vitro oxidative stress by incubating with tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP). Human erythrocytes have been chosen for the study model due to their being the primary target site for the oxidative stress generated by extracellular as well as intracellular metabolic pathway and substances. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the erythrocytes membrane shows many properties similar to those of brain tissues AChE activity may be considered as central cholinergic status. Results show that curcumin (10^-5 M to 10^-8 M) significantly (p<0.001) protects AChE activity in erythrocyte during oxidative stress. AChE activity in naïve membrane was found to be maximum at 10^-6 M of curcumin. Curcumin at 10^-6 M caused decrease in Km of the enzyme Our results signify the potential protective effect of curcumin on the cholinergic system under conditions of oxidative stress.