Curcumin as a Perspective Protection for Retinal Pigment Epithelium during Autophagy Inhibition in the Course of Retinal Degeneration.

ABSTRACT: Defective autophagy in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is involved in retinal degeneration, mostly in the course of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is an increasingly prevalent retinal disorder, eventually leading to blindness. However, most autophagy activators own serious adverse effects when administered systemically. Curcumin is a phytochemical, which induces autophagy with a wide dose-response curve, which brings minimal side effects. Recent studies indicating defective autophagy in AMD were analyzed. Accordingly, in this perspective, we discuss and provide some evidence about the protective effects of curcumin in preventing RPE cell damage induced by the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA). Cells from human RPE were administered the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA.

SUBMITTER: Pinelli R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10556393 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature