biostudies-literatureYang Bthe Venture and Innovation Support Program for Chongqing Overseas Returneesthe Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universitiesthe National Natural Science Foundation of Chinathe Innovation Team of Pig Industry Technology System in Chongqing22204https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7746732biostudies-literatureUnknown10(1)Pseudorabies virus (PRV) infection can elicit nervous system disorders. Curcumin has been reported to have neuroprotective effects. However, whether curcumin can protect neurons against PRV infection and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, for the first time, the protective effects of curcumin against PRV-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction in rat hippocampal neurons and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) pathway were investigated. Results indicated that PRV with a titer of 3.06 × 10⁶ TCID50 (50% tissue culture infective dose) induced oxidative damage of hippocampal neurons 2 h post-infection and that 10 μM curcumin improved the viability of PRV-infected hippocampal neurons. Scientific reportsCurcumin protects rat hippocampal neurons against pseudorabies virus by regulating the BDNF/TrkB pathway.PMC774673231201807cx2018096XDJK2020D012XDJK2020B01Feng LGan LLuo GYang BLuo XZhang CfalseCurcumin protects rat hippocampal neurons against pseudorabies virus by regulating the BDNF/TrkB pathway.Pseudorabies virus (PRV) infection can elicit nervous system disorders. Curcumin has been reported to have neuroprotective effects. However, whether curcumin can protect neurons against PRV infection and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, for the first time, the protective effects of curcumin against PRV-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction in rat hippocampal neurons and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) pathway were investigated. Results indicated that PRV with a titer of 3.06 × 10⁶ TCID50 (50% tissue culture infective dose) induced oxidative damage of hippocampal neurons 2 h post-infection and that 10 μM curcumin improved the viability of PRV-infected hippocampal neurons. 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Dec2025-04-25T17:54:43.701Z2025-04-25T17:54:43.701ZS-EPMC77467323333512110.1038/s41598-020-78903-0