Substantiation for the Use of Curcumin during the Development of Neurodegeneration after Brain Ischemia

Abstract

Currently available pharmacological treatment of post-ischemia-reperfusion brain injury has limited effectiveness. This review provides an assessment of the current state of neurodegeneration treatment due to ischemia-reperfusion brain injury and focuses on the role of curcumin in the diet. The purpose of this review was to provide a comprehensive overview of what was published about the benefits of curcumin influence on post-ischemic brain damage. Some data on the clinical benefits of curcumin treatment of post-ischemic brain in terms of clinical symptoms and adverse reactions have been reviewed. The data in this review contributes to a better understanding of the potential benefits of curcumin in the treatment of neurodegenerative changes after ischemia and informs scientists, clinicians, and patients, as well as their families and caregivers about the possibilities of such treatment. Due to the pleotropic properties of curcumin, including anti-amyloid, anti-tau protein hyperphosphorylation, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and neuroprotective action, as well as increasing neuronal lifespan and promoting neurogenesis, curcumin is a promising candidate for the treatment of post-ischemic neurodegeneration with misfolded proteins accumulation. In this way, it may gain interest as a potential therapy to prevent the development of neurodegenerative changes after cerebral ischemia. In addition, it is a safe substance and inexpensive, easily accessible, and can effectively penetrate the blood–brain barrier and neuronal membranes. In conclusion, the evidence available in a review of the literature on the therapeutic potential of curcumin provides helpful insight into the potential clinical utility of curcumin in the treatment of neurological neurodegenerative diseases with misfolded proteins. Therefore, curcumin may be a promising supplementary agent against development of neurodegeneration after brain ischemia in the future. Indeed, there is a rational scientific basis for the use of curcumin for the prophylaxis and treatment of post-ischemic neurodegeneration.

Curcumin and Endometriosis

“…Curcumin is a major anti-inflammatory agent. Studies have shown inconsistent results regarding the effects of curcumin in different diseases [15][16][17][18][19]; but up to now, the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic properties of curcumin have been reported in several animal and human studies [20][21][22]. Curcumin decreases the inflammation in diseases, including cancers.…”

Mutual Two-Way Interactions of Curcumin and Gut Microbiota

“…Further mechanistic studies have shown that the use of curcumin-Cu(II) or -Zn(II) complex systems inhibits cellular apoptosis by downregulating the nuclear factor κB pathway and increasing the regulation of the Bcl-2/Bax pathway [51]. To sum up, the presented study showed that the curcumin-Cu(II) or -Zn(II) complex systems show significant neuroprotective effects, suggesting the potential advantage of curcumin as a promising agent against Alzheimer's disease and post-ischemic neurodegeneration [52] and deserves further research.…”

“…At present, in animal and clinical studies, toxicological evaluation has shown that curcumin is considered a pharmacologically safe substance at a dose of up to 12 g per day [52]. Currently, extrapolation of animal studies to clinical studies has shown that, in order to obtain beneficial effects in humans, it is recommended to take oral curcumin about 500 mg daily, which means that the daily intake of raw curcumin is about 4 g [52].…”

“…At present, in animal and clinical studies, toxicological evaluation has shown that curcumin is considered a pharmacologically safe substance at a dose of up to 12 g per day [52]. Currently, extrapolation of animal studies to clinical studies has shown that, in order to obtain beneficial effects in humans, it is recommended to take oral curcumin about 500 mg daily, which means that the daily intake of raw curcumin is about 4 g [52]. However, when using curcumin for therapeutic purposes, it should be stated that it is very unstable in most body fluids, and due to poor water solubility, it is recommended to mix curcumin with milk or oil, to increase its absorption and metabolism [52].…”

“…This issue needs to be clarified in future research. Considering the pleotropic effect of curcumin on neurodegenerative diseases, cancers and immune disorders, curcumin is a promising substance for treating disease today without causal treatment [1,2,10,[51][52][53][54][55][56][57]. In addition, it is a safe, inexpensive substance, easily accessible and penetrates the blood-brain barrier and neuronal membranes, which is its great advantage [1][2][3]7].…”