title: Effects of curcumin on HDL functionality.
abstract: Curcumin, a bioactive polyphenol, is a yellow pigment of the Curcuma longa (turmeric) plant. Curcumin has many pharmacologic effects including antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-obesity, anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Recently, it has been found that curcumin affects lipid metabolism, and subsequently, may alleviate hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. Plasma HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) is an independent negative risk predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, numerous clinical and genetic studies have yielded disappointing results about the therapeutic benefit of raising plasma HDL-C levels. Therefore, research efforts are now focused on improving HDL functionality, independent of HDL-C levels. The quality of HDL particles can vary considerably due to heterogeneity in composition. Consistent with its complexity in composition and metabolism, a wide range of biological activities is reported for HDL, including antioxidant, anti-glycation, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, anti-apoptotic and immune modulatory activities. Protective properties of curcumin may influence HDL functionality; therefore, we reviewed the literature to determine whether curcumin can augment HDL function. In this review, we concluded that curcumin may modulate markers of HDL function, such as apo-AI, CETP, LCAT, PON1, MPO activities and levels. Curcumin may subsequently improve conditions in which HDL is dysfunctional and may have potential as a therapeutic drug in future. Further clinical trials with bioavailability-improved formulations of curcumin are warranted to examine its effects on lipid metabolism and HDL function.
authors.affiliation: Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Shiva
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ganjali
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States.
authors.forename: Christopher N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Blesso
authors.affiliation: Department of Hypertension, WAM University Hospital in Lodz, Medical University of Lodz, Zeromskiego 113, Lodz, Poland; Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital Research Institute (PMMHRI), Lodz, Poland.
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Banach
authors.affiliation: Unit of Internal Medicine, Angiology and Arteriosclerosis Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pirro
authors.affiliation: Sabinsa Corporation, East Windsor, NJ, United States.
authors.forename: Muhammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Majeed
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. Electronic address: sahebkara@mums.ac.ir.
authors.forename: Amirhossein
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sahebkar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D030024:Curcuma / Q000737:chemistry; D003474:Curcumin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000975:Antioxidants; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D003474:Curcumin
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Cholesterol efflux; Curcumin; Dyslipidemia; High-density lipoprotein