title: Curcumin as a potential protective compound against cardiac diseases.
abstract: Curcumin, which was first used 3000 years ago as an anti-inflammatory agent, is a well-known bioactive compound derived from the active ingredient of turmeric (Curcuma longa). Previous research has demonstrated that curcumin has immense therapeutic potential in a variety of diseases via anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory pathways. Cardiac diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide and cause considerable harm to human beings. Numerous studies have suggested that curcumin exerts a protective role in the human body whereas its actions in cardiac diseases remain elusive and poorly understood. On the basis of the current evidence, we first give a brief introduction of cardiac diseases and curcumin, especially regarding the effects of curcumin in embryonic heart development. Secondly, we analyze the basic roles of curcumin in pathways that are dysregulated in cardiac diseases, including oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation. Thirdly, actions of curcumin in different cardiac diseases will be discussed, as will relevant clinical trials. Eventually, we would like to discuss the existing controversial opinions and provide a detailed analysis followed by the remaining obstacles, advancement, and further prospects of the clinical application of curcumin. The information compiled here may serve as a comprehensive reference of the protective effects of curcumin in the heart, which is significant to the further research and design of curcumin analogs as therapeutic options for cardiac diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu, China; Department of Aerospace Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China.
authors.forename: Shuai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 1 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China.
authors.forename: Tian
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China.
authors.forename: Zhenlong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xin
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 1 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, China.
authors.forename: Zhiqiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China.
authors.forename: Wencheng
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Di
authors.affiliation: Department of Aerospace Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu, China.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 1 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, China.
authors.forename: Shouyin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Di
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu, China. Electronic address: dongjinwang210@163.com.
authors.forename: Dongjin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu, China; Department of Aerospace Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China. Electronic address: yang200214yy@163.com.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D030024:Curcuma / Q000737:chemistry; D003474:Curcumin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D003474:Curcumin
keywords: Cardiac diseases; Curcumin; Histone acetylation; Myocardial ischemia; Oxidative stress