title: Experimental evidence for curcumin and its analogs for management of diabetes mellitus and its associated complications.
abstract: Diabetes mellitus is a serious world health problem and one of the most studied diseases; a major concern about its treatment is that β-cell mass and functionality is hard to restore. In addition, it is frequently associated with severe complications, such as diabetic nephropathy and cardiomyopathy. The anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic properties of curcumin have made it a promising molecule for the treatment of this pathology; however, its solubility and bioavailability problems are still the subject of multiple studies. To cope with those difficulties, several approaches have been evaluated, such as the development of pharmaceutical formulations and curcumin analogs. This review discusses some of the studied therapeutic targets for curcumin in diabetes as well as the structural characteristics and targets of its analogs. The shortening of the central seven-carbon chain of curcumin has given rise to compounds without glucose-lowering effects but potentially useful for the treatment of diabetes complications; whereas preserving this chain retains the glucose-lowering properties. Most of the analogs discussed here have been recently synthesized and tested in animal models of type 1 diabetes; more studies in models of type 2 diabetes are needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Medicine, National Institute of Cardiology Ignacio Chávez, Juan Badiano 1, Sección XVI, Tlalpan, Mexico, D.F. 14080, Mexico. Electronic address: syriverama@conacyt.mx.
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rivera-Mancía
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Systems, Autonomous Metropolitan University-Xochimilco, Calzada del Hueso 1100, Villa Quietud, Coyoacán, Mexico, D.F. 04960, Mexico.
authors.forename: María Concepción
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lozada-García
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Chemistry, National Autonomous University of Mexico, University City, Coyoacán, Mexico, D.F. 04510, Mexico. Electronic address: pedraza@unam.mx.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pedraza-Chaverri
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003474:Curcumin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D003474:Curcumin
keywords: Curcumin analogs; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetic cardiomyopathy; Diabetic nephropathy