“Spicing Up” of the Immune System by Curcumin

Abstract

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is an orange-yellow component of turmeric (Curcuma longa), a spice often found in curry powder. Traditionally known for its an antiinflammatory effects, curcumin has been shown in the last two decades to be a potent immunomodulatory agent that can modulate the activation of T cells, B cells, macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells. Curcumin can also downregulate the expression of various proinflammatory cytokines including TNF, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, and chemokines, most likely through inactivation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB. Interestingly, however, curcumin at low doses can also enhance antibody responses. This suggests that curcumin's reported beneficial effects in arthritis, allergy, asthma, atherosclerosis, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and cancer might be due in part to its ability to modulate the immune system. Together, these findings warrant further consideration of curcumin as a therapy for immune disorders.

Curcumin induces the tolerogenic dendritic cell that promotes differentiation of intestine‐protective regulatory T cells

“…Supplementation with Vitamin A and retinoids down-regulated inflammation in EAE and suppressed serum cytokines, such as TNF-a and IL-1, but enhanced IL-10 [42]. Curcumin, a naturally occurring yellow pigment commonly used as a coloring and flavoring spice in food products has been shown to modulate the growth and cellular responses of various immune cells including cytokine production [25,30]. Curcumin also inhibits NF-kB activation in various cells [29].…”

“…Curcumin has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, and anti-carcinogenic activity [26]. It blocks NF-kB activation through inhibiting IKK activity, suppresses expression of NO synthase, lipooxygenase, TNF-a, IL-8, and cell surface adhesion molecules in various type of cells [27][28][29][30]. Curcumin inhibits inflammation in different disease models including the development of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acidinduced, as well as DSS-induced experimental colitis [31][32][33][34].…”

The Pleiotropic Effects of Curcumin.

“…[37] An important mechanism of anti inflammatory property of curcumin is reducing levels of proinflammatory cytokines which could be through suppression of NF-κB. [38] Higher levels of NF-κB is seen in intestinal biopsies taken from lamina propria of IBD patients. [39] The activation of the transcription factor NF-κB leads to upregulation of various inflammatory cytokines like IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-a in a study done on human gestational tissues from women who underwent elective caesarean section and delivered healthy full term infants .…”

“…[38] ( NF-κB is raised in intestinal biopsies of IBD patients) [39] Cardiovascular system(Nanocurcumin) conserves mitochondrial function, under hypoxic conditions [44] Bronchial asthma Reduce arachidonic acid release by suppressing cytosolic phospholipase A2 phosphorylation [47] uveitis anti inflammatory action of curcumin [48] PPAR-γ agonistic action-anti inflammatory property. [49,50] depression inhibit MAO A in mouse brain [53] interacting with serotonergic receptors [54] …”

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“…Certain plant components capable of killing cancer cells are also known to suppress the tumor promoting actions of immune and other tumor stromal cells 6 . Coleus forskohlii is a common indigenous medicinal plant belongs to Lamiaceae family 7 .…”