Multiple antidepressant potential modes of action of curcumin: a review of its anti-inflammatory, monoaminergic, antioxidant, immune-modulating and neuroprotective effects

Abstract

Curcumin is the principal curcuminoid of the popular Indian spice turmeric and has attracted increasing attention for the treatment of a range of conditions. Research into its potential as a treatment for depression is still in its infancy, although several potential antidepressant mechanisms of action have been identified. Research completed to date on the multiple effects of curcumin is reviewed in this paper, with a specific emphasis on the biological systems that are compromised in depression. The antidepressant effects of curcumin in animal models of depression are summarised, and its influence on neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine is detailed. The effects of curcumin in moderating hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) disturbances, lowering inflammation, and protecting against oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, neuroprogression and intestinal hyperpermeability, all of which are compromised in major depressive disorder, are also summarised. With increasing interest in natural treatments for depression, and efforts to enhance current treatment outcomes, curcumin is presented as a promising novel, adjunctive or stand-alone natural antidepressant.

A review of peripheral biomarkers in major depression: The potential of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers

“…Other potential treatment candidates include COX-2 inhibitors (Muller et al, 2011), immunemodulating and antioxidant herbs and spices such as curcumin (Lopresti et al, 2012) and green tea (Cabrera et al, 2006, Rietveld andWiseman, 2003), and the large array of antioxidant nutrients such as coenzyme Q10, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E and n-acetylcysteine (Ng et al, 2008, Zhang andYao, 2013). Further investigation into the effects of specific antidepressant medications on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers may also facilitate better treatment matching.…”

Adaptive Cellular Stress Pathways as Therapeutic Targets of Dietary Phytochemicals: Focus on the Nervous System

“…The major components of St. John's wort (quercetin, hyperforin, and hypericin) may inhibit serotonin reuptake, as does fluoxetine (Singer et al, 1999;Butterweck, 2003). Other phytochemicals reported to have antidepressant effects in animal models include curcumin (Lopresti et al, 2012;Hurley et al, 2013) and resveratrol (Xu et al, 2010b). Interestingly, a large longitudinal study showed that caffeinated coffee consumption is associated with a reduced risk of depression (Lucas et al, 2011).…”

Obesity and psychiatric disorders: Commonalities in dysregulated biological pathways and their implications for treatment

“…Potentially, suffering from both conditions may increase neuroprogressive pathways and lead to worsening treatment outcomes, relapse or treatment resistance. Adjunct interventions that may be considered include the addition of anti-inflammatory drugs such as COX-2 inhibitors (Muller and Schwarz, 2008) and the TNF antagonist, infliximab (Raison et al, 2013), medications with neuroprotective properties (e.g., antidepressants, mood stabilisers) (Dodd et al, 2013, Malhi et al, 2012, herbs and nutrients with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (e.g., curcumin, resveratrol, omega-3 fatty acids, green tea, n-acetyl cysteine, CoQ10, selenium, zinc, alpha lipoic acid and vitamins such as A, C and E) (Alappat and Awad, 2010, Floyd, 1999, Kim et al, 2008, Lopresti et al, 2012, Scapagnini et al, 2012 and lifestyle changes known to enhance neurogenesis (e.g., sleep hygiene interventions, meditation, yoga, relaxation therapies and exercise) (Doraiswamy and Xiong, 2007, Kiecolt-Glaser et al, 2010, Lopresti et al, 2013.…”