Dietary supplements of curcumin attenuate scurfy-induced immune disorder with interaction on CD4 T cells

Abstract Background/Aims: Curcumin has been used in Asian traditional medicine for its medicinal properties. Recent studies have demonstrated that curcumin has antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of curcumin on the the scurfy-induced immune disorder, in particular its interaction on CD4+ T cells. Methods: Starting at 3 weeks of age, mice were fed a standard diet or a diet containing 1% curcumin for 7 days. The survival period of mice were measured. Additionally, the total CD4+ T cells population and th1, th2 and th17 population and absolute number were compared between curcumin treated mice and control mice. Results: A dietary curcumin delays lethality in scurfy mice. The population of CD4+ T cells in spleen was reduced in curcumin treated mice. Furthermore, Th1, Th2 and Th17 percentage and cell count were decreased after curucumin treatment. Conclusion: Curcumin exerted a protective effect in scurfy mice. We speculate that the protective effects of curcumin in scurfy may involve, at least in part, its interaction on CD4 T cells.