An Update on the Exploratory Use of Curcumin in Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Abstract

Curcumin is a polyphenol extracted from the rhizome of the turmeric plant. Beyond its common use as a culinary spice in Eastern Asia, curcumin has been proposed as a therapeutic compound due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Thus, its efficacy has been evaluated in various inflammatory-based psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression, or autism. Our aim is to review those preclinical and clinical studies carried out in psychiatric disorders whose therapeutic approach has involved the use of curcumin and, therefore, to discern the possible positive effect of curcumin in these disorders. Preclinical studies and completed clinical trials of curcumin for psychiatric disorders published from January 2005 to October 2021 were identified through searching relevant databases until 31st October 2021. Sixty-five preclinical studies and 15 clinical trials and open-label studies were selected. Results showed a bias toward studies in depression and, to a lesser extent, schizophrenia. In all disorders, the results were positive in reducing psychiatric deficits. Despite the considerable number of beneficial outcomes reported, the small number of trials and the heterogeneity of protocols make it difficult to draw solid conclusions about the real potency of curcumin in psychiatric disorders.

Nutritional interventions for the prevention and treatment of neurological disorders such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and schizophrenia

“…Vitamins B6, B12, B9 [339][340][341][342] Vitamin C [343][344][345][346][347][348] Vitamin E [349,350] Vitamin D [352][353][354][355][356][357] Omega-3 PUFAs [350,[358][359][360][361][362][363][364][365] Polyphenols/Flavonoids [366][367][368][369][370][371] to decrease depressive symptoms in patients with BD-I [138], while a placebo-controlled study reported administration of 1 g/day EPA and 1 g/day DHA for 52 weeks as a prophylactic and adjuvant therapy to be effective for patients with BD [139]. However, a randomized placebo-controlled trial involving 31 patients with BD in a euthymic state and 15 healthy controls found that 1250 mg/day DHA for 12 weeks improved cognitive performance in healthy controls only [140].…”

“…In a double-blind study, researchers found 240 mg/d of G. Biloba extract administered for 12 weeks on 157 patients signi icantly improved symptoms of tardive dyskinesia compared to placebo [370]. Moreover, curcumin may be bene icial in mitigating the adverse effects of treatment with neuroleptics in patients with schizophrenia [370,371]. Table 1 shows the nutrients that can be effective for schizophrenia.…”

Mechanisms Underlying Curcumin-Induced Neuroprotection in Cerebral Ischemia

“…Numerous studies have revealed the beneficial role of curcumin in cancer, diabetes, metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases, atherosclerosis, arthritis, pulmonary diseases, etc ( Aggarwal and Harikumar, 2009 ; Jabczyk et al, 2021 ; Mahjoob and Stochaj, 2021 ). Recently, researchers discovered that curcumin also has neuroprotective effects on various neurological diseases, including neuropsychiatric disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and epilepsy ( Dhir, 2018 ; Bhat et al, 2019 ; Yavarpour-Bali et al, 2019 ; Yuan et al, 2019 ; Farkhondeh et al, 2020 ; Nebrisi, 2021 ; Lamanna-Rama et al, 2022 ). The involved mechanisms may include the mediation of neurotransmitters and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal cortex axis, the release of neurotrophic factors, and the promotion of nerve regeneration, thereby influencing a variety of signaling cascades, enhancing vitality and differentiation of neurons, and ultimately enhancing neurological functions ( Xu et al, 2006 ; Srivastava et al, 2018 ; Ramaholimihaso et al, 2020 ; Yang et al, 2020 ; Yang et al, 2021 ).…”

Therapeutic effect and safety of curcumin in women with PCOS: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…For many years, as an Indian spice, it has been widely used as food additives, food pigments and seasonings ( 19 ). In view of its anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic and anti-anxiety activities, it is also used to treat a variety of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, depression and so on ( 20 ). With the deepening of research, a lot of evidence shows that curcumin is a natural regulator and protector in the process of female reproduction ( 21 ).…”