Possible action mechanism for curcumin in pre-cancerous lesions based on serum and salivary markers of oxidative stress

Abstract

Extensive research within the past half-century has indicated that curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a yellow pigment in curry powder, exhibits anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pro-apoptotic activities. We investigated whether the anti-pre-cancer activities assigned to curcumin are mediated through an anti-oxidant and DNA-protecting mechanism. Patients with oral leukoplakia, oral submucous fibrosis or lichen planus, and healthy individuals (n = 25 for each group) aged 17-50 years were selected. Salivary and serum oxidative markers such as malonaldehyde (MDA), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), vitamins C and E were measured just prior to the intake of curcumin, after one week of curcumin intake and following clinical cure of precancerous lesions. Serum and salivary vitamins C and E showed increases, while MDA and 8-OHdG levels showed decreases in patients with oral leukoplakia, submucous fibrosis and lichen planus after intake of curcumin for all categories of precancerous lesions. The changes in these values were observed to be statistically significant after clinical cure of the disease (P < 0.05). The five-point rating scale for pain, as well as lesion size in oral leukoplakia, submucous fibrosis and lichen planus, improved significantly (P < 0.05). In addition, in submucous fibrosis, mouth opening (P < 0.05) recovered significantly. In oral leukoplakia, submucous fibrosis and lichen planus, the levels of serum and salivary vitamins C and E increased significantly, while MDA and 8-OHdG levels decreased after 131(15), 211(17), and 191(18) days, respectively. Values for serum and salivary vitamins C and E showed a significant decrease in oral leukoplakia, submucous fibrosis and lichen planus, in contrast to healthy individuals, but increased significantly in all groups subsequent to curcumin administration after clinical cure of lesions. Based on these results, we can conclude that curcumin mediates its anti-pre-cancer activities by increasing levels of vitamins C and E, and preventing lipid peroxidation and DNA damage.

Curcumin for the treatment of major depression: A randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled study

“…More specifically, curcumin is a potent antioxidant that can lower markers of oxidative stress (Naik et al, 2011, Rai et al, 2010, modulate immuno-inflammation by acting as a COX-2 inhibitor (Lee et al, 2011, Plummer et al, 1999 and lower pro-inflammatory cytokines (Basnet andSkalko-Basnet, 2011, Belcaro et al, 2010), provide significant neuroprotection , Xu et al, 2007, modulate HPA activity , Li et al, 2009) and influence monoamine transmission through its effect on serotonergic and dopaminergic activity (Bhutani et al, 2009, Kulkarni et al, 2008, Xia et al, 2007. In animal studies, antidepressant effects of curcumin have been attributed to its serotonergic, dopaminergic, neuroprotective and HPA-modulating effects , Kulkarni et al, 2008, Xu et al, 2006.…”

Evaluating the ameliorative potential of plant flavonoids and their nanocomposites in bleomycin induced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

“…Various preclinical, clinical, and animal studies suggest that curcumin is a potential antiproliferative, anti-invasive, and antiangiogenic agent. It also acts as a mediator of chemoresistant, chemopreventive, and therapeutic agent (Ara et al, 2016;Goel et al, 2008;Jiao et al, 2008;Rai et al, 2010).…”

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“…Curcumin was found to reduce the spread of breast cancer in mice and prevented numerous forms of cancers very soon, Childhood leukaemia and in pancreatic cancer [18][19] . Curcumin has been approved to conduct Phase I/ II trial for the treatment of bowel cancer 20 . Curcumin significantly reduced the brain and unwanted cytotoxicity in hippocampal neurons in wistar rats 21 .…”