The Effect of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Extract on the Functionality of the Solute Carrier Protein 22 A4 (SLC22A4) and Interleukin-10 (IL-10) Variants Associated with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing disease. Genetic predisposition to the disease reduces an individual’s capacity to respond appropriately to environmental challenges in the intestine leading to inappropriate inflammation. IBD patients often modify their diet to mitigate or reduce the severity of inflammation. Turmeric (Curcuma longa L., Zingiberaceae) has historically been used in Chinese, Hindu, and Ayurvedic medicine over several centuries to treat inflammatory disorders. To understand how turmeric may influence the consequences of a genetic predisposition to inappropriate inflammation, we used HEK293 cells to examine the in vitro capacity of turmeric extract and fractions to affect the functionality of two gene variants, solute carrier protein 22 A4 (SLC22A4, rs1050152) and interleukin-10 (IL-10, rs1800896) associated with IBD. We found that a turmeric extract and several chromatographically separated fractions beneficially affected the variants of SLC22A4 and IL-10 associated with IBD, by reducing inappropriate epithelial cell transport (SLC22A4, 503F) and increasing anti-inflammatory cytokine gene promoter activity (IL-10, −1082A). The effect of turmeric on the IL-10 variant was strongly associated with the curcumin content of the extract and its fractions.

Antioxidant therapy for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease: Does it work?

“…It is native to India and Southeast Asia and has been used to treat a broad range of common ailments, especially inflammatory diseases, as an oral and topical medicine, in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for at least 4000 years, as well as in Chinese, Arabic and other traditional medicines [146] . Its beneficial effects on IBD were observed in animal models [147] , through in vitro assays [148] and clinical trials [149] , [150] . The main effects attributed to curcumin are related to anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities [136] , however in analyzing Table 1 , we can observe that curcumin, alone [151] , [152] , or in combination with other plants such as Gingko biloba [153] or compounds like aminoguanidine [154] , show important antioxidant effects, like decrease of LP, and of RONS production, as well as increase of antioxidant enzymes.…”

Why Are Omics Technologies Important to Understanding the Role of Nutrition in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases?

“…An example more relevant to curcumin, but using a similar rationale, was studied by McCann and co-workers [30]. Among various molecular pathways involved in susceptibility to IBD are those involved in intestinal epithelial barrier function and immune response [70].…”

“…Thus, these authors considered the effects of an extract of turmeric and factions of this extract to overcome the functional effects of the two IBD-associated genetic variants—solute carrier protein 22 A4 ( SLC22A4 , rs1050152) and interleukin-10 ( IL10 , rs1800896). They developed an assay using HEK293 cells to examine the in vitro capacity of a turmeric extract, and fractions thereof, to affect the functionality of these two gene variants [30]. In parallel, they measured the curcumin content of the extract and fractions using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).…”

“…It is claimed to have beneficial effects against several inflammatory diseases, including IBD and cancer. The colour of turmeric is due to curcuminoids, including curcumin, which interact with a number of molecular targets [30]. Curcumin is claimed to act therapeutically in IBD, and is currently being developed for this purpose by the pharmaceutical industry [31,32].…”

Perspective: Stabilizing the Microbiome Skin-Gut-Brain Axis with Natural Plant Botanical Ingredients in Cosmetics

“…Ayurvedic herbs with recent clinical studies. Ref[25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38]. Ayurvedic herbs with recent clinical studies.…”