Curcumin prevents renal cell apoptosis in acute kidney injury in a rat model of dry-heat environment heatstroke via inhibition of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

Heatstroke is a life-threatening illness that is characterised by a core body temperature >40C and central nervous system dysfunction. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of heatstroke, and the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway has been demonstrated to be one of the leading causes of tissue damage and cell death in AKI. Curcumin is a phenol that is extracted from turmeric and demonstrates anti-apoptotic properties.