title: Mechanism of the Anti-inflammatory Effect of Curcumin: PPAR-gamma Activation.
abstract: Curcumin, the phytochemical component in turmeric, is used as a dietary spice and a topical ointment for the treatment of inflammation in India for centuries. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is relatively insoluble in water, but dissolves in acetone, dimethylsulphoxide, and ethanol. Commercial grade curcumin contains 10-20% curcuminoids, desmethoxycurcumin, and bisdesmethoxycurcumin and they are as effective as pure curcumin. Based on a number of clinical studies in carcinogenesis, a daily oral dose of 3.6 g curcumin has been efficacious for colorectal cancer and advocates its advancement into Phase II clinical studies. In addition to the anticancer effects, curcumin has been effective against a variety of disease conditions in both in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies. The present review highlights the importance of curcumin as an anti-inflammatory agent and suggests that the beneficial effect of curcumin is mediated by the upregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) activation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgical Research, North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030, USA.
authors.forename: Asha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.forename: Rongqian
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Mian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wang