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Curcumin a known anti inflammatory and antioxidant agent

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Nida Tabassum Khan at Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences
Nida Tabassum Khan
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Introduction
Curcumin is an active yellow color curcuminoid compound
which is a naturally occurring plant pigment that is mostly found in
turmeric and is native to Southeast Asia and India.1 It has an earthy
odor and somewhat bitter taste and is mostly used in culinary.2 It
is reported that pure turmeric residues contains about 3 percent of
curcumin by weight.3 However curcumin is also available in the form
of turmeric extract supplements which contains higher concentration
of curcumin.4 It exhibits strong anti-inammatory and antioxidant
properties.5 In addition to that it is an excellent healing agent.6
Health benets of curcumin
Some health benets of curcumin are as follows:
Relieves inammation
Curcumin is well known for its anti-inammatory property that
reduces chronic inammation occurring in a number of medical
conditions such as arthritis, bowel disease, heart disease, cancer, and
diabetes etc.7 It has the ability to effectively block the function of
those enzymes that contributes in inammatory pathway.8
Supports skin health
Antioxidant property of curcumin helps in neutralizing free
radicals that causes cell damage.9 In addition to that it accelerates
healing of the wounds and collagen deposition in the skin.10 Curcumin
is found to effective in treating psoriasis, dermatitis and scabies.11
Lowers high blood sugar
Diabetes associated symptoms such as impaired wound healing,
increased thirst, vision loss, nerve damage, weight loss etc could be
overcome by the use of curcumin which increases insulin secretion to
reduce high glucose level in the blood.12,13
Treatment of cancers
Curcumin has an anti-cancerous effect on the growth of cancerous
and tumour cells.14 It inhibits the function of cancer inducing growth
factors and enzymes and blocks the signaling pathway hat is involved
in the development of cancer in organs like breast, colon, pancreas
and lungs.15,16
Treatment of mental illnesses
Curcumin aids in the treatment of depression and anxiety by
reducing its associated symptoms.17 It increase the levels of omega-3
fatty acid that promotes the development of brain.18
Prevents blood clotting
Curcumin reduces platelet aggregation in the blood by inhibiting
the formation of thromboxanes that causes clot formation in conditions
like pulmonary embolism, stroke and deep vein thrombosis.19
Reduces joint pain
Relieve rheumatoid arthritis related symptoms like stiffness, pain,
swelling etc.20
Regulates high cholesterol level
Curcumin boost cardiac health by lowering high cholesterol levels
in blood.21
Improves detoxication
Curcumin stimulates detoxication in order to protect the liver
from diseases, allowing removal of toxins and cancer causing
substances from the body.22
Enhance brain function
Curcumin maintains cognitive function and prevent the risks of
neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.23 It
elevates the amount of brain derived neuro tropic factors which is
involved in enhancing brain function, improving memory and reduces
oxidative damage.24,25
Side effects of curcumin
Some of the side effects of curcumin if consumed in excess are as
follows:
Int J Mol Biol Open Access. 2019;4(1):24‒25. 24
© 2019 Khan. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits
unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.
Curcumin a known anti inammatory and
antioxidant agent
Volume 4 Issue 1 - 2019
Nida Tabassum Khan
Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and
Informatics, Balochistan University of Information Technology
Engineering and Management Sciences, Pakistan
Correspondence: Nida Tabassum Khan, Department of
Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Informatics,
Balochistan University of Information Technology Engineering
and Management Sciences, (BUITEMS), Quetta, Pakistan, Tel
03368164903, Email
Received: December 31, 2018 | Published: February 05, 2019
Abstract
Curcumin is a yellow color naturally occurring plant pigment that is mostly found in
turmeric and provides numerous health benefits. Therapeutic potentials of curcumin
includes better skin health, reduced inflammation, low blood sugar levels, lower
cholesterol, enhance detoxification and relief from joint pain. Curcumin also exhibits
anti-cancerous property making it suitable for the treatment of cancerous cells.
Keywords: curcuminoid, psoriasis, dermatitis, omega 3 fatty acid, rheumatoid
arthritis, pulmonary embolism
International Journal of Molecular Biology: Open Access
Mini Review Open Access
Curcumin a known anti inammatory and antioxidant agent 25
Copyright:
©2019 Khan
Citation: Khan NT. Curcumin a known anti inammatory and antioxidant agent. Int J Mol Biol Open Access. 2019;4(1):24‒25.
DOI: 10.15406/ijmboa.2019.04.00093
Consuming curcumin in excess causes low glucose level, bleeding
disorders, increased mensuration, diarrhea, nausea and low fertility.26
Besides it may also cause anemia due to decreased iron absorption.27
Excessive uterine contraction is another side effect of over dose of
curcumin in pregnant woman leading to abortion.28
Conclusion
Thus curcumin provides a number of health benets such as better
skin health, reduced inammation, low blood sugar levels etc
Acknowledgments
None.
Conicts of interest
The author declares no conicts of interest.
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... All mice were randomly assigned into six groups of 10 mice per group: (1) the control group (vehicle only); (2) BαP-treated group (20 mg/kg body weight); (3 -5) BαP + one of the three ginger compounds (curcumin, 6-gingerol, or zingerone) at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. The doses of three ginger compounds and BαP were selected based on the pharmacological data from previously published studies (Ajayi et al., 2015;2019). BαP and ginger compounds were dissolved in corn oil (0.02 mL/g body weight). ...
... Physicochemical and antioxidant properties of curcumin were determined by the keto-enol-enolate equilibrium of the heptadienone moiety of curcumin (Ak and Gülçin, 2008). The antioxidant effect of gingerol and other ginger constituents has been proposed as one of major mechanisms for its pharmacological activities (Khan, 2019). The 6-gingerol-rich ginger extract could reduce the levels of H 2 O 2 and MDA, enhance antioxidant enzyme activity, and increase glutathione in rats with oxidative damage induced by chlorpyrifos (Abolaji et al., 2017). ...
Ginger constituents ameliorated B(α)P-induced toxicity via modulation of antioxidants and xenobiotic-metabolising enzymes in mice
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  • Apr 2022
Accumulating evidence has linked benzo(α)pyrene (BαP) exposure to carcinogenesis with severe damages to reproductive, hematopoietic, hepatic, and renal tissues. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) rhizome consumed worldwide as a spice and herbal medicine, exhibits a variety of health benefits including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities. In the present work, the efficacy of three ginger compounds namely 6-gingerol, zingerone, and curcumin against BαP-induced toxicity in mice was investigated. Kunming Swiss albino male mice were orally gavage with curcumin, 6-gingerol, or zingerone (all at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight) for two weeks before intraperitoneal injection with benzo(α)pyrene (BαP) at 20 mg/kg body weight. The effect of these ginger compounds on antioxidant and xenobiotic-metabolising enzymes in vivo was investigated. Results showed that pre-treatment with curcumin, 6-gingerol, or zingerone significantly (p < 0.05) increased catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in serum and liver of mice, upregulated activities of phase II enzymes (quinone reductase (QR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST)), and their protein and mRNA levels in liver of mice; but reduced levels of activities, protein, and mRNA of phase I enzymes (CYP1A1 and CYP1A2) as compared to those of BαP-only treatment. Furthermore, these compounds significantly (p < 0.05) stimulated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) protein expression, whilst curcumin suppressed the expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) in liver. These results could contribute to our understanding of the potential beneficial effects of consuming ginger as food and/or dietary supplement.
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... Curcuminpromotes collagen deposition and exacerbates wound healing of skin. Curcumin is found to be operational in treating scabies, psoriasis, (Kang, Li et al., 2016) and dermatitis (Ternullo, Gagnat et al., 2019;Khan, 2019). ...
... Curcumin is popular for its anti-inflammatory property which reduces chronic inflammation occurring in many health conditions like cancer, heart disease, arthritis, bowel disorder and diabetes. It has capability to block the function of the enzymes that donates in the inflammatory pathway (Khan, 2019). It discharges rheumatoid arthritis associated symptoms like pain, swelling, stiffness etc. (Chin, 2016). ...
Therapeutic potential of Curcumin in Curcuma Longa: A Review
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Curcumin is a poly belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. In developing countries, turmeric and its products are consumed to overcome many ailments because of cost effectiveness. It is frequently used in herbal medicine. It shows strong therapeutic potential as antioxidant, anti plays a prominent role in management of many diseases and disorders diabetes, diabetic micro Intestin infection and inflammation. It is safe to use and shows no side effects or toxicity but sometimes it can cause low fertility, bleeding disorders, low glucose level and heavy menstruat diseases.
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... Research shows that curcumin inhibits the growth of cancer cells by apoptosis and preventing cancer cells from proliferating (Giordano and Tommonaro, 2019). The reason curcumin causes apoptosis is the production of cytochrome C and reactive oxygen species and their effect on p53 protein, as well as activating intracellular signals responsible for DNA damage and cell growth arrest (Khan, 2019). Curcumin can have an inhibitory effect on cancers of the colon, pancreas, stomach, and prostate. ...
Therapeutic applications of herbal/synthetic/bio-drug in oral cancer: An update
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  • Oct 2020
  • EUR J PHARMACOL
Oral cancer, as one of the most prevalent and invasive cancers that invade local tissue, can cause metastasis, and have high mortality. In 2018, around 355,000 worldwide oral cancers occurred and resulted in 177,000 deaths. Estimates for the year 2020 include about 53,260 new cases added to previous year's cases, and the estimated death toll from this cancer in 2020 is about 10,750 deaths more than previous years. Despite recent advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment, unfortunately, 50% of people with cancer cannot be cured. Of course, it should be remembered that the type of treatment used greatly influences patient recovery. There are not many choices when it comes to treating oral cancer. Research efforts focusing on the discovery and evolution of innovative therapeutic approaches for oral cancer are essential. Such traditional methods of treating this type of cancer like surgery and chemotherapy, have evolved dramatically during the past thirty to forty years, but they continue to cause panic among patients due to their side effects. Therefore, it is necessary to study and use drugs that are less risky for the patient as well as to provide solutions to reduce chemotherapy-induced adverse events that prevent many therapeutic risks. As mentioned above, this study examines low-risk therapies such as herbal remedies, biological drugs, and synthetic drugs in the hope that they will be useful to physicians, researchers, and scientists around the world.
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Curcumin induces stabilization of Nrf2 protein through Keap1 cysteine modification
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  • Jan 2020
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The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of curcumin, a representative chemopreventive phytochemical with pronounced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, on activation of Nrf2 and its target protein heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in mouse skin in vivo and in cultured murine epidermal cells. Treatment of mouse epidermal JB-6 cells with curcumin resulted in the induction of HO-1 expression, and this was abrogated in cells transiently transfected with Nrf2 siRNA. While curcumin treatment increased protein expression of Nrf2, it failed to did not alter the steady-state level of the Nrf2 mRNA transcript. Treatment of cells with curcumin stabilized Nrf2 by inhibiting ubiquitination and subsequent 26S proteasomal degradation of this transcription factor. Tetrahydrocurcumin, a non-electrophilic analogue of curcumin that lacks the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl group, failed to induce HO-1 expression as well as Nrf2 nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and its binding to the antioxidant/electrophile response elements. Cells transfected with a mutant Keap1 protein in which cysteine 151 is replaced by serine exhibited marked reduction in curcumin-induced Nrf2 transactivation. Mass spectrometric analysis revealed that curcumin binds to Keap1 Cys151, supporting that this amino acid is a critical target for curcumin modification of Keap1, which facilitates the liberation of Nrf2. Thus, it is likely that the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moiety of curcumin is critical essential for its binding to Keap1 and stabilization of Nrf2 by hampering ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation.
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The spice for joint inflammation: anti-inflammatory role of curcumin in treating osteoarthritis
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Full-text available
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Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease of the joint affecting aging populations worldwide. It has an underlying inflammatory cause, which contributes to the loss of chondrocytes, leading to diminished cartilage layer at the affected joints. Compounds with anti-inflammatory properties are potential treatment agents for osteoarthritis. Curcumin derived from Curcuma species is an anti-inflammatory compound as such. This review aims to summarize the antiosteoarthritic effects of curcumin derived from clinical and preclinical studies. Many clinical trials have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of curcumin in osteoarthritic patients. Extracts of Curcuma species, curcuminoids and enhanced curcumin, were used in these studies. Patients with osteoarthritis showed improvement in pain, physical function, and quality of life after taking curcumin. They also reported reduced concomitant usage of analgesics and side effects during treatment. In vitro studies demonstrated that curcumin could prevent the apoptosis of chondrocytes, suppress the release of proteoglycans and metal metalloproteases and expression of cyclooxygenase, prostaglandin E-2, and inflammatory cytokines in chondrocytes. These were achieved by blocking the activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) system in the chondrocytes, by preventing the activation of nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells inhibitor, alpha, phosphorylation, and translocation of the p65 subunit of NF-κB complexes into the nucleus. In conclusion, curcumin is a potential candidate for the treatment of osteoarthritis. More well-planned randomized control trials and enhanced curcumin formulation are required to justify the use of curcumin in treating osteoarthritis.
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Curcumin, Inflammation, and Chronic Diseases: How Are They Linked?
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Full-text available
It is extensively verified that continued oxidative stress and oxidative damage may lead to chronic inflammation, which in turn can mediate most chronic diseases including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, neurological, inflammatory bowel disease and pulmonary diseases. Curcumin, a yellow coloring agent extracted from turmeric, shows strong anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities when used as a remedy for the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. How oxidative stress activates inflammatory pathways leading to the progression of chronic diseases is the focus of this review. Thus, research to date suggests that chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and most chronic diseases are closely linked, and the antioxidant properties of curcumin can play a key role in the prevention and treatment of chronic inflammation diseases.
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Therapeutic Roles of Curcumin: Lessons Learned from Clinical Trials
Article
Full-text available
  • Nov 2012
  • AAPS J
Extensive research over the past half century has shown that curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a component of the golden spice turmeric (Curcuma longa), can modulate multiple cell signaling pathways. Extensive clinical trials over the past quarter century have addressed the pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of this nutraceutical against numerous diseases in humans. Some promising effects have been observed in patients with various pro-inflammatory diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, uveitis, ulcerative proctitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel disease, tropical pancreatitis, peptic ulcer, gastric ulcer, idiopathic orbital inflammatory pseudotumor, oral lichen planus, gastric inflammation, vitiligo, psoriasis, acute coronary syndrome, atherosclerosis, diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic microangiopathy, lupus nephritis, renal conditions, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, β-thalassemia, biliary dyskinesia, Dejerine-Sottas disease, cholecystitis, and chronic bacterial prostatitis. Curcumin has also shown protection against hepatic conditions, chronic arsenic exposure, and alcohol intoxication. Dose-escalating studies have indicated the safety of curcumin at doses as high as 12 g/day over 3 months. Curcumin's pleiotropic activities emanate from its ability to modulate numerous signaling molecules such as pro-inflammatory cytokines, apoptotic proteins, NF-κB, cyclooxygenase-2, 5-LOX, STAT3, C-reactive protein, prostaglandin E(2), prostate-specific antigen, adhesion molecules, phosphorylase kinase, transforming growth factor-β, triglyceride, ET-1, creatinine, HO-1, AST, and ALT in human participants. In clinical trials, curcumin has been used either alone or in combination with other agents. Various formulations of curcumin, including nanoparticles, liposomal encapsulation, emulsions, capsules, tablets, and powder, have been examined. In this review, we discuss in detail the various human diseases in which the effect of curcumin has been investigated.
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Anticoagulant activities of curcumin and its derivative
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  • Apr 2012
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Curcumin, a polyphenol responsible for the yellow color of the curry spice turmeric, possesses antiinflammatory, antiproliferative and antiangiogenic activities. However, anticoagulant activities of curcumin have not been studied. Here, the anticoagulant properties of curcumin and its derivative (bisdemethoxycurcumin, BDMC) were determined by monitoring activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT) as well as cell-based thrombin and activated factor X (FXa) generation activities. Data showed that curcumin and BDMC prolonged aPTT and PT significantly and inhibited thrombin and FXa activities. They inhibited the generation of thrombin or FXa. In accordance with these anticoagulant activities, curcumin and BDMC showed anticoagulant effect in vivo. Surprisingly, these anticoagulant effects of curcumin were better than those of BDMC indicating that methoxy group in curcumin positively regulated anticoagulant function of curcumin. Therefore, these results suggest that curcumin and BDMC possess antithrombotic activities and daily consumption of the curry spice turmeric might help maintain anticoagulant status.
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Herbal agents and over-the-counter medications in pregnancy
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  • Jun 2003
Exposures to over-the-counter and herbal products are frequent in pregnant women. Limited information exists on the effects of many of these agents during pregnancy; it is not safe to assume that because these products are available without a prescription that they are without danger to the pregnant woman and her fetus. The basic principles utilized in deciding whether to employ prescription medications such as dose, embryological timing and potential toxic fetal effects also apply to herbal medications and over-the-counter agents. Conventional reasoning indicates that maternal exposure to poorly studied medications should be limited; therefore, many of these agents should be used sparingly or not at all by pregnant women. This chapter includes a review of selected herbal and over-the-counter agents, including those which are considered to be acceptable for use in pregnancy.
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Is there a role for curcumin in the treatment of bipolar disorder?
Article
  • Feb 2013
Curcumin is a polyphenolic nonflavonoid compound extracted from the rhizome of turmeric (Curcuma longa), a plant commonly used in Indian and Chinese traditional medicine to treat rheumatism, cough, inflammation and wounds. Curcumin putative targets, known based on studies of diverse central nervous system disorders other than bipolar disorders (BD) include several proteins currently implicated in the pathophysiology of BD. These targets include, but are not limited to, transcription factors activated by environmental stressors and pro-inflammatory cytokines, protein kinases (PKA, PKC), enzymes, growth factors, inflammatory mediators, and anti-apoptotic proteins (Bcl-XL). Herein, we review previous studies on the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of curcumin and discuss its therapeutic potential in BD.
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Skin regenerative potentials of curcumin
Article
  • Feb 2013
  • BIOFACTORS
Curcumin, an active constituent of the spice turmeric, is well known for its chemopreventive properties and is found to be beneficial in treating various disorders including skin diseases. Curcumin protects skin by quenching free radicals and reducing inflammation through the inhibition of nuclear factor-kappa B. Curcumin also affects other signaling pathways including transforming growth factor-β and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. Curcumin also modulates the phase II detoxification enzymes which are crucial in detoxification reactions and for protection against oxidative stress. In the present review, the biological mechanisms of the chemopreventive potential of curcumin in various skin diseases like psoriasis, vitiligo, and melanoma is discussed. The application of curcumin in skin regeneration and wound healing is also elucidated. We also explored the recent innovations and advances involved in the development of transdermal delivery systems to enhance the bioavailability of curcumin, particularly in the skin. Recent clinical trials pertaining to the use of curumin in skin diseases establishes its benefits and also the need for additional clinical trials in other diseases are discussed. © 2013 BioFactors, 2013.
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Collaborative Effects of Diet and Exercise on Cognitive Enhancement
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  • Jul 2011
Certain dietary factors, such as omega-3 fatty acids and curcumin, are reviewed in their context of stimulating molecular systems that serve synaptic function, while diets rich in saturated fats do the opposite. In turn, exercise, using similar mechanisms as healthy diets, displays healing effects on the brain such as counteracting the mental decline associated with age and facilitating functional recovery resulting from brain injury and disease. Diet and exercise are two noninvasive approaches that used together may enhance neural repair. Omega 3 fatty acids and curcumin elevate levels of molecules important for synaptic plasticity such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), thus benefiting normal brain function and recovery events following brain insults.
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