Objective:To explore the effects of curcumin on autophagy of N2a/APP695 swe cells and the underlying mechanisms.Methods:The N2a/WT and N2a/APP695 swe cells were involved

and were divided into four groups:wild type（WT）group

control group

sham group and curcumin group（5 μmol/L）. Western blot was carried out to detect the expressions of LC3Ⅱ

SQSTM1

and the autophagy-related genes（Atg）including Beclin1

Atg5

Atg7

Atg12

and Atg16L1 proteins. Immunofluorescence was used to test the expression of SQSTM1 protein

too. After transfection of p SELECT-GFP-LC3 and Lyso Red into the cells of four groups

respectively

confocal microscope was performed to observe the difference of the number of autophagosomes and autolysosomes in each group.Results:Western blot demonstrated that compared with those of control group

the expressions of LC3 Ⅱ protein were significantly increased in curcumin group（0.59±0.03 vs. 0.11±0.01

P=0.000）. But the expression of SQSTM1 protein was attenuated in curcumin group than that in control group

simultaneously（0.19±0.04 vs. 0.66±0.05

P=0.000）. And immunofluorescence also verified this trend of SQSTM1 protein. Then confocal microscope showed that the number of autophagosomes and the quantity of autolysosomes were improved in curcumin group

compared with those in control group（154.67±7.37 vs. 89.00±7.21

P=0.000;84.67±12.50 vs. 42.33±6.51

P =0.000）. At last

Western blot further found that the expressions of Beclin1

Atg7

and Atg16L1 at protein levels were increased in curcumin group when compared with those of control group（0.55±0.09 vs. 0.10±0.02

P=0.000;0.89±0.12 vs. 0.39±0.07

P=0.000;0.36±0.07 vs. 0.13±0.02

P=0.003）. However

there was no significant difference in the two groups at the levels of Atg5 and Atg12 proteins（0.79±0.12 vs. 0.79±0.10

P=0.470;0.94±0.13 vs. 0.87±0.16

P=0.587）. Conclusion:Curcumin plays a key role in elevating autophagy in N2a/APP695 swe cells and the potential mechanisms is associated with Atg proteins including Beclin1

Atg7

and Atg16L1.