Curcumin protects against failure to generate a transmembrane potential and protein aggregation of rat liver mitochondria induced by tert-butylhydroperoxides

Abstract

Curcumin, an active ingredient of curcuma plant has been thought to be beneficial in the treatment of liver diseases. In the previous studies,  we  have  shown  the  protective  effects  of  curcumin  against  lipid  peroxidation  and  swelling  of  the  ratlivermitochondrial preparation induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BuOOH). In the present study, the administration of t-BuOOH of 90 µM caused the mitochondria failed to generate a transmembrane potential (Ym). Of 3 doses of curcumin administered (0.5µM, 2.5 µM dan 5.0 µM) the maximum protective effect against failure to generate a transmembrane potential caused by t-BuOOH was obtained by 2.5µM of curcumin(79.13+6.28%).Further,  curcumin  of  1000 µM  could  prevent  protein  aggregation  formation  caused  by  t-BuOOH  in  the electrophoretogram. This study shows the protective effects of curcumin against damaged of energy production system and protein of the mitochondria caused by t-BuOOH. (Med J Indones 2007; 16:139-45)