Biological properties of curcumin-cellular and molecular mechanisms of action.
Curcuminoids, a group of phenolic compounds isolated from the roots of Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae), exhibit a variety of beneficial effects on health and on events that help in preventing certain diseases. A vast majority of these studies were carried out with curcumin (diferuloyl methane), which is a major curcuminoid. The most detailed studies using curcumin include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antiviral, and antiinfectious activities. In addition, the wound healing and detoxifying properties of curcumin have also received considerable attention. As a result of extensive research on the therapeutic properties of curcumin, some understanding on the cellular, molecular, and biochemical mechanism of action of curcumin is emerging. These findings are summarized in this review.
Joe
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Department of Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Medical College of Ohio, Block Health Science Building, 3035 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH 43614-5804, USA. bjoe@mco.edu
Vijaykumar
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Lokesh
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D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D016587:Antimutagenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001682:Biological Availability; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D003474:Curcumin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008658:Inactivation, Metabolic; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D016587:Antimutagenic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D003474:Curcumin