Curcumin as a Natural Remedy for Atherosclerosis: A Pharmacological Review

Abstract

Curcumin, a hydrophobic bioactive constituent from Curcuma longa, has several health promoting properties including anti-atherosclerotic properties. Further, curcumin has blood glucose- and lipid-lowering properties, prophylactic, and therapeutic effects in other cardiometabolic diseases. Atherosclerosis is an umbrella term for a series of degenerative and hyperplasic lesions such as thickening or sclerosis in large and medium -sized artery walls that decrease vascular-wall elasticity and lumen diameter. The atherosclerotic cerebro-cardiovascular disease has become a major concern to human health in recent years. Considering the notable cardiovascular actions of curcumin, the present review summarizes the current status and future perspective of research on curcumin and its ability to prevent or treat atherosclerosis

Targeting transforming growth factor‐ß signalling for cancer prevention and intervention: Recent advances in developing small molecules of natural origin

“…Curcumin has aromatic parts, such as an O‐methoxy phenolic and β‐dicarbonyl group. There are various biological properties and therapeutic benefits of curcumin that can be utilised for the treatment of chronic human disease, as it possesses antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic, immune‐regulatory, cardiovascular protective, neuroprotective and hepatoprotective effects 141–143 …”

Curcumin nanoemulsion counteracts hepatic and cardiac complications associated with high‐fat/high‐fructose diet in rats

“…Growing evidence has delineated that CUR can regulate different signaling molecules to retard the progression and development of atherosclerosis (Li et al, 2020; Momtazi‐Borojeni et al, 2021). It can down‐regulate inducible nitric oxide synthase activity that controls the nitro−/oxidative‐stress (Singh et al, 2021), and was reported to promote the increase in the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPAR‐γ) activity to inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and their migration to the intima and its associated complications such as intimal thickening in cases of atherosclerosis due to hyperlipidemia. In fact, neointimal responses related to artery damage cause proliferation, migration, and collagen synthesis in VSMCs, which increase the atherosclerotic tendency (Han et al, 2019; Hatamipour et al, 2021; Singh et al, 2021).…”

“…It can down‐regulate inducible nitric oxide synthase activity that controls the nitro−/oxidative‐stress (Singh et al, 2021), and was reported to promote the increase in the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPAR‐γ) activity to inhibit the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and their migration to the intima and its associated complications such as intimal thickening in cases of atherosclerosis due to hyperlipidemia. In fact, neointimal responses related to artery damage cause proliferation, migration, and collagen synthesis in VSMCs, which increase the atherosclerotic tendency (Han et al, 2019; Hatamipour et al, 2021; Singh et al, 2021). However, the desirable pharmacological activities of CUR are hampered by its poor solubility, which consequently leads to low bioavailability (Ahmed‐Farid et al, 2017).…”

Brominated flame retardant TBPH induced oxidative damage and reduced the expression of memory-related proteins in mice, with no discernable impairment of learning and memory

“…14 Recently, extensive research has been carried out to study the application of CUR as a health improving agent and used as a functional ingredient in foods. 15 Yadav et al 16 reported that CUR protects arsenic-induced neurobehavioral toxicity by modulating oxidative stress and dopaminergic function in rats. It may be a significant concern whether CUR can be of use in treatment of neuronal damage caused by TBPH exposure.…”