Therapeutic Potential of Curcumin as an Antimycobacterial Agent

Abstract

Curcumin is the principal curcuminoid obtained from the plant Curcuma longa and has been extensively studied for its biological and chemical properties. Curcumin displays a vast range of pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor activity. Specifically, curcumin has been linked to the improvement of the outcome of tuberculosis. There are many reviews on the pharmacological effects of curcumin; however, reviews of the antitubercular activity are comparatively scarcer. In this review, we attempt to discuss the different aspects of the research on the antitubercular activity of curcumin. These include antimycobacterial activity, modulation of the host immune response, and enhancement of BCG vaccine efficacy. Recent advances in the antimycobacterial activity of curcumin synthetic derivatives, the role of computer aided drug design in identifying curcumin targets, the hepatoprotective role of curcumin, and the dosage and toxicology of curcumin will be discussed. While growing evidence supports the use of curcumin and its derivatives for tuberculosis therapy, further preclinical and clinical investigations are of pivotal importance before recommending the use of curcumin formulations in public health.

Inhalable Mannosylated Rifampicin–Curcumin Co-Loaded Nanomicelles with Enhanced In Vitro Antimicrobial Efficacy for an Optimized Pulmonary Tuberculosis Therapy

“…In this framework, we aimed to expand the potential of this nanoformulation by the co-encapsulation with an antioxidant drug as CUR and the surface decoration of the nanocarrier with mannose residues for an active drug targeting macrophages. In this case, CUR was incorporated due to its potential anti-mycobacterial properties associated with the host immune response modulation [ 18 ].…”

“…Recently, the potential anti-mycobacterial properties of CUR have been investigated, since it is known that it can modulate the host immune response [ 18 ]. Furthermore, in a previous study, the association of curcumin and rifampicin by means of a nanotechnological system based on polyethylene sebacate nanoparticles has been formulated and tested for oral administration, confirming the ability of these systems to improve the in vitro mycobacterial clearance [ 19 ].…”

Mechanisms of isoniazid and rifampicin-induced liver injury and the effects of natural medicinal ingredients: A review

“…Natural medicinal ingredients have the advantage of increasing efficiency and reducing toxicity, which can not only reduce the toxic and side effects of drugs but also strengthen the body and dispel pathogenic factors and enhance the immunity of patients to improve the curative effect. The evidence ( Barua and Buragohain, 2021 ) suggested that curcumin nanoparticles inhibit the growth of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain in mice and accelerate the clearance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from the lungs of BALB/c mice by promoting an antitubercular response, thereby shortening treatment time. It also can restore INH-induced suppression of antigen-specific cytokines and the proliferation of T cells.…”

Antimicrobial Potential of Curcumin: Therapeutic Potential and Challenges to Clinical Applications

“…Researchers have reported that the methoxy and hydroxy derivatives of curcumin are specifically related to its antibacterial efficacy [12,13]. Although many some reviews on the use of curcumin and its analogues that are associated with its antimicrobial and anti-parasitic properties in specific applications (i.e., wound healing, periodontal diseases, tuberculosis, Helicobacter pylori infection) have been published in recent decades [14][15][16], there is a need for a comprehensive literature review that includes both the studies that have been performed on the antimicrobial activity of curcumin and those reporting the technological approaches in order to have a vision of what has been achieved so far and to direct future studies.…”