The Targets of Curcumin

Abstract

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), an orange-yellow component of turmeric or curry powder, is a polyphenol natural product isolated from the rhizome of the plant Curcuma longa. For centuries, curcumin has been used in some medicinal preparation or used as a food-coloring agent. In recent years, extensive in vitro and in vivo studies suggested curcumin has anticancer, antiviral, antiarthritic, anti-amyloid, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The underlying mechanisms of these effects are diverse and appear to involve the regulation of various molecular targets, including transcription factors (such as nuclear factor-κB), growth factors (such as vascular endothelial cell growth factor), inflammatory cytokines (such as tumor necrosis factor, interleukin 1 and interleukin 6), protein kinases (such as mammalian target of rapamycin, mitogen-activated protein kinases, and Akt) and other enzymes (such as cyclooxygenase 2 and 5 lipoxygenase). Thus, due to its efficacy and regulation of multiple targets, as well as its safety for human use, curcumin has received considerable interest as a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention and/or treatment of various malignant diseases, arthritis, allergies, Alzheimer’s disease, and other inflammatory illnesses. This review summarizes various in vitro and in vivo pharmacological aspects of curcumin as well as the underlying action mechanisms. The recently identified molecular targets and signaling pathways modulated by curcumin are also discussed here.

Hepatoprotective properties of extensively studied medicinal plant active constituents: Possible common mechanisms

“…However, curcumin and quercetin exhibited significant hepetoprotection in experimental setups as reported previously Chirumbolo, 2010;Lekic et al, 2013;Zhao et al, 2011;Zhou et al, 2011 (Gupta, 1994).…”

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

“…In a recent meta-analysis on clinical trials it was concluded that curcumin lowers CRP levels (Sahebkar, 2014). It can also lower IL-6 (Belcaro et al, 2010, Zhou et al, 2011 and TNF-Į levels (Aggarwal et al, 2013).…”

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Curcumin Against Hepatorenal Oxidative Injury in the Experimental Sepsis Model Created in Rats

“…[4] Curcumin has been widely used in Eastern populations, particularly as a traditional medicine in India and China, for the treatment of many diseases, including hepato-biliary, skin, rheumatoid, and gastrointestinal system diseases. [5] The protective features of curcumin, first and foremost its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, have been shown in clinical and experimental studies.…”