Effect of Turmeric, Turmerin and Curcumin on Ca2+, Na/K+ Atpases in Concanavalin A-Stimulated Human Blood Mononuclear Cells

Hari H P Cohly,Anelle Taylor,Babu Patlolla,Suman K Das,Maheshwara-Rajeswara Rao,Michael F Angel,Melanie T Wilson,Vijaya K Kanji

doi:10.3390/i4020034

Abstract

Ion transport enzymes may play an important role in T cell activation. This study investigates the role of turmeric and its individual components, turmerin-and curcumin-on Ca2+ and Na/K+ adenosine triphosphatases (ATPase) in the course of T cell activation. Concanavalin A (Con A) stimulated human blood mononuclear T cell proliferation paradigm was investigated for 3, 5 and 7 day periods with different concentrations of turmeric, curcumin and turmerin. Con A-stimulated cells treated with turmeric (250, 50, 5 μg/ml) for 3 and 5 days inhibited ATPase levels when compared to base levels obtained by cells in media alone. At day 7, there was a 3-fold increase for Ca2+ATPase levels and a 2-fold increase for Na/K+ATPase. Curcumin (250, 50, 5 μg/ml) showed the same pattern for ATPase activity as turmeric at 3 and 5 days with a 2-fold increase at day 7. Turmerin (2500, 1250, 250, 25 ng/ml) for Na/K+ ATPase activity showed an increase at day 3, a decrease on day 5, and a 2-fold increase on day 7. Ca2+ ATPase activity in the presence of turmerin showed an increase in ATPase levels at day 3 (except at 2500ng/ml where it decreased) and a decrease in day 5 (except at 25 ng/ml where it increased). Turmeric and curcumin generally inhibited Ca2+ATPase and Na/K+ATPases in early (day 3) and intermediate (day 5) stages of mitogen stimulation. However, the effect after 7 days incubation for turmeric, curcumin and turmerin showed a marked increase up to three fold.

Highlights

The sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) is an integral cell membrane protein
Ca2+ATPases Figure 1A shows that an overall decrease in the ATPase levels in the presence of turmeric when compared with base levels (Con A treated samples)
A 2-fold increase in ATPase activity is observed on day 7 (p≤0.05)

Summary

Introduction

The sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) is an integral cell membrane protein. Na/K+ATPase functions as an ion pump and is essential for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. It is required for the establishment of ionic and electrochemical transmembrane gradient [3] and provides energy for uptake of nutrients [4] and neurotransmitter function [5] through co-transport and counter-transport systems. Ca2+ fluctuation between the cytoplasm, intracellular Ca2+-storage organelles and the plasma membrane play a key role in cellular homeostasis and signal transduction. In a reversible activation event, Ca2+ is re-sequestered in extracellular storage pools and eliminated from the cell through the plasma membrane [6]. Ca2+ transport ATPases plays an important role in the control of cell activation

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Results

Conclusion