Potential therapeutic effects of curcumin, the anti-inflammatory agent, against neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, autoimmune and neoplastic diseases.
Although safe in most cases, ancient treatments are ignored because neither their active component nor their molecular targets are well defined. This is not the case, however, with curcumin, a yellow-pigment substance and component of turmeric (Curcuma longa), which was identified more than a century ago. For centuries it has been known that turmeric exhibits anti-inflammatory activity, but extensive research performed within the past two decades has shown that this activity of turmeric is due to curcumin (diferuloylmethane). This agent has been shown to regulate numerous transcription factors, cytokines, protein kinases, adhesion molecules, redox status and enzymes that have been linked to inflammation. The process of inflammation has been shown to play a major role in most chronic illnesses, including neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, autoimmune and neoplastic diseases. In the current review, we provide evidence for the potential role of curcumin in the prevention and treatment of various proinflammatory chronic diseases. These features, combined with the pharmacological safety and negligible cost, render curcumin an attractive agent to explore further.
Aggarwal
Bharat B
BB
Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. aggarwal@mdanderson.org
Harikumar
Kuzhuvelil B
KB
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D030024:Curcuma; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D010936:Plant Extracts; C012596:turmeric extract; D003474:Curcumin