# Tetrahydrocurcumin Outperforms Curcumin in Preventing Oxidative Stress-Induced Dysfunction in Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide-Stimulated Cardiac Fibroblasts

## TL;DR

Tetrahydrocurcumin is more effective than curcumin at protecting heart cells from oxidative stress damage.

## Contribution

This study compares the antioxidant efficacy of curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin in cardiac fibroblasts under oxidative stress.

## Key findings

- Both curcuminoids reduced oxidative stress-induced cell death and Tgfb1 expression in cardiac fibroblasts.
- Tetrahydrocurcumin showed superior protective effects compared to curcumin in most measured parameters.
- The results suggest tetrahydrocurcumin may be a more effective antioxidant for cardiac fibroblasts.

## Abstract

Oxidative stress is a common feature of various pathological conditions, including tissue remodeling and dysfunction. Cardiac fibroblasts, which play a key role in maintaining extracellular matrix homeostasis, are sensitive to oxidative injury. Curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin are plant-derived polyphenols with antioxidant properties, yet their relative efficacy in preventing oxidative stress–induced dysfunction in cardiac fibroblasts remains unclear. In this study, cardiac fibroblasts were treated with curcumin or tetrahydrocurcumin prior to exposure to tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP), a widely used inducer of oxidative stress. Cell viability, apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and Tgfb1 expression were assessed. Both curcuminoids significantly attenuated oxidative stress–induced cell death, decreased cell viability, and reduced Tgfb1 expression. Notably, tetrahydrocurcumin demonstrated superior protective effects across most parameters. These findings suggest that both compounds help mitigate oxidative-stress–induced cellular dysfunction in cardiac fibroblasts and highlight tetrahydrocurcumin as a potentially more effective antioxidant. Further studies are needed to explore their role in the context of tissue remodeling and fibrotic progression.