The modulation of erythrocyte Na+/K+-ATPase activity by curcumin

AbstractCurcumin, an active biphenolic molecule present in turmeric (Curcuma longa), has been reported to elicit plethora of health protective effects. The present study was carried out in vitro, in vivo and in silico to investigate the modulatory effects of curcumin on erythrocyte membrane Na+/K+-ATPase activity. In vitro curcumin (10−5M to 10−8M) was incubated with human erythrocytes membrane. In vivo curcumin (340mg/kgb.w. and 170mg/kgb.w.) was supplemented to wistar rats for 21days. In silico, catalytic unit α of Na+/K+-ATPase (3b8e.pdb) protein was used as a receptor for the natural ligand ATP to study curcumin-mediated docking simulation using AutoDock4. The in vitro effect of curcumin on the Na+/K+-ATPase activity in human erythrocytes was biphasic. An inhibitory response was observed at 10−5M (p<0.001). An activation of the Na+/K+-ATPase activity was observed at 10−7 and 10−8M (p<0.001 and p<0.01). In vivo, curcumin supplementation to rats increased the Na+/K+-ATPase activity at doses 340mg/kgb.w. (p<0.001) as well as at 170mg/kgb.w., (p