Effect of curcumin on reducing Streptococcus suis-induced inflammatory response in vitro

Objective To study the effect of curcumin on Streptococcus suis-induced inflammatory cytokines in mouse splenocytes and evaluate the role of curcumin in protecting septic shock induced by Streptococcus suis. Methods Lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) releasing assay was conducted to determine cytotoxicity of Streptococcus suis and curcumin. Cytokine production was determined by ELISA and flow cytometry. Results Streptococcus suis and curcumin used at the dosage in this study did not cause significant cytotoxicity. Streptococcus suis induced IL-6, TNF-, IL-12, little IL-1 and higher level of IFN- production, whereas anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was also produced. Curcumin significantly reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the proportion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and IL-10. Conclusion Curcumin could inhibit Streptococcus suis-induced inflammatory response by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines by splenocytes.