Investigation of the effects of curcumin and piperine on aluminum- induced damage in the astrocytes cells

Within the scope of the thesis, the therapeutic and protective effects of curcumin and piperine on primary cortical astrocyte cells reactive with aluminum, and the change in bioavailability of curcumin and the bioenhancing characteristic of piperine with the use of curcumin and piperine together (synergistic effect) were investigated. Astrocyte cells were obtained primarily from rat pups and an in vitro model was created with these cells. To determine the therapeutic effect on the obtained primary astrocytes cells; afterwards aluminum applied, concentrations of curcumin, piperine and synergistic effect were tested. In order to find the protective effect; aluminum application was carried out at the 24th hour following the application of curcumin, piperine and synergistic effect concentrations to the cells. Cell viability was analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide analysis, and apoptotic/ necrotic processes were investigated by Acridine orange/ Propidium iodide dual staining method on the established experimental groups. Apoptosis was also investigated by TUNEL staining method. With cytokine analyzes in the supernants obtained from the protective effect experimental groups, it was investigated how the synergistic effects of aluminum, curcumin, piperine, and curcumin with piperine changed the levels of Interleukin 6 and Transforming Growth Factor-beta 1 cytokine secreted from astrocyte cells. As a result, the obtained data showed that the cell viability percentages of curcumin and piperine on aluminum-induced damage in astrocyte cells were higher in both the protective and therapeutic effect groups compared to the control. At the same time, the use of curcumin and piperine together increases the bioavailability of curcumin by causing high cell viability, a decrease in the number of apoptotic and necrotic cells, and a decrease in the amount of cytokines. The results showed that piperine has a bioenhancing effect on curcumin in astrocyte cells as well. Based on these results, further studies will shed light on other studies to be conducted in this field, as further studies will reveal how the damage due to aluminum in astrocyte cells changes at the molecular level in line with the synergistic interactions of curcumin and piperine.