Curcumin inhibits TNFalpha-induced lectin-like oxidised LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) expression and suppresses the inflammatory response in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by an antioxidant mechanism.

In this study, the anti-oxidative activities of 70% ethanol extract from Curcuma aromatica Salisb. (CAS) and curcumin (CUR) were studied. The CAS extracts and CUR were both found to have a potent scavenging activity against the reactive species tested, as well as an inhibitory effect on LDL oxidation. Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were stimulated with tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), expression of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), lectin-like oxidised LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1), adhesion molecules, inhibitory kappa Balpha (IkappaBalpha) and nuclear factor kappa B (NFkappaB) were measured. In HUVECs stimulated with TNFalpha, CUR significantly suppressed expression of the intracellular ROS, LOX-1 and adhesion molecules, degradation of IkappaBalpha and translocation of NFkappaB, while inducing production of NO by phosphorylation of eNOS (p <0.05). In conclusion, CAS and CUR may modulate lipoprotein composition and attenuate oxidative stress by elevated antioxidant processes.