title: Effect of curcumin on platelet aggregation and vascular prostacyclin synthesis.
abstract: In vitro and ex vivo effects of 1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (diferuloylmethane, curcumin) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on the synthesis of prostacyclin (PGI2) and on platelet aggregation has been studied in rat. Both drugs inhibited adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-, epinephrine (adrenaline)- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation in monkey plasma. Pretreatment with ASA (25-100 mg/kg), but not curcumin (100-300 mg/kg), inhibited PGI2 synthesis in rat aorta. In the in vitro system, too, curcumin caused a slight increase in the synthesis of PGI2, while ASA inhibited it. Curcumin may, therefore, be preferable in patients prone to vascular thrombosis and requiring antiarthritic therapy.
mesh_terms: D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000378:metabolism; D001241:Aspirin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002396:Catechols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D002396:Catechols; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate; D003094:Collagen; D011464:Epoprostenol; D003474:Curcumin; D001241:Aspirin; D004837:Epinephrine