Effect of curcumin on the expression of LDL receptor in mouse macrophages

To investigate the molecular mechanisms of lipid-lowering drug, Rhizoma Curcumae Longae, we treated the mouse macrophages with curcumin, which was purified from the ethanol extraction of Rhizoma Curcumae Longae. The LDL receptors expressed in the macrophages were determined by ELISA, FLISA and assay of LDL uptake. Here for the first time, we found that curcumin obviously up-regulated the expression of LDL receptor in mouse macrophages, and the dose–effect relationship was demonstrated.