Curcumin, an active component of turmeric (Curcuma longa), and its effects on health

Prevalence of herbal medicines in patients with chronic allergic disorders in Western Saudi Arabia

Objectives:

To assess the prevalence and pattern of the use of herbal medicines by allergic patients in Western Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Methods:

Cross-sectional study design was used to collect data from consecutively recruited patients with chronic allergic disorders from July 2018 to October 2018. Participants from 2 allergy clinics in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were interviewed face-to-face using a structured questionnaire.

Results:

One hundred and two patients with allergy were interviewed. Their average age was 34±18 and 72.5% were female. The most common primary diagnoses were allergic rhinitis (24.5%), atopic dermatitis (19.6%), and bronchial asthma (16.7%). Herbal medicines were used by 60% of participants, including: Nigella sativa (19.6%), Pimpinella anisum (12.7%), Boswellia sacra (11.8%), Zingiber officinale (10.8%), Foeniculum vulgare (9.8%), Psidium guajava (9.8%), Olea europaea (8.8%), Thymus vulgaris (5.9%), Matricaria chamomilla (4.9%), Mentha piperita (4.9%), Syzygium aromaticum (4.9%), and others. Of those, 63% reported subjective improvement in symptoms. A significant association was found between asthma and herbal medicines intake (p=0.001).

Conclusion:

Despite the insufficient evidence, there was a high prevalence of herbal medicines used by allergic patients (more than half), especially in bronchial asthma. Black seed, anise and olibanum were the most commonly used.

Novel drug delivery systems of Chinese medicine for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an idiopathic intestinal inflammatory disease that comprises ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). IBD involves the ileum, rectum, and colon, and common clinical manifestations of IBD are diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even bloody stools. Currently, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, and immunosuppressive agents are used for the treatment of IBD, while their clinical application is severely limited due to unwanted side effects. Chinese medicine (CM) is appealing more and more attention and investigation for the treatment of IBD owing to the potent anti-inflammation pharmacological efficacy and high acceptance by patients. In recent years, novel drug delivery systems are introduced apace to encapsulate CM and many CM-derived active constituents in order to improve solubility, stability and targeting ability. In this review, advanced drug delivery systems developed in the past and present to deliver CM for the treatment of IBD are summarized and future directions are discussed.

Albumin nano-encapsulation of caffeic acid phenethyl ester and piceatannol potentiated its ability to modulate HIF and NF-kB pathways and improves therapeutic outcome in experimental colitis

Hypoxia inducible factor and nuclear factor-kappa beta pathways have been proposed as therapeutic targets for several inflammatory diseases. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and piceatannol (PIC) are natural anti-inflammatory compounds; however, poor bioavailability and limited understanding of biomolecular mechanistic limits its clinical use. The aims of this study are to enhance bioavailability and investigate their impact on nuclear p65 and HIF-1α for the first time in experimental colitis.Dextran sulphate sodium was used to induce colitis in mice and effect of either free CAPE/PIC or CAPE/PIC loaded albumin nanoparticles treatment was observed on disease development and levels of cellular p65 and HIF-1α.Our results indicate that albumin nano-encapsulation of CAPE/PIC not only enhances its anti-inflammatory potential but also potentiates its ability to effectively modulate inflammation related biomolecular pathways. Hence, combining nanotechnology with natural compounds could result in development of new therapeutic options for IBD.

Naturally-derived electrospun wound dressings for target delivery of bio-active agents

Electrospun nanofibers are known as the advanced means for wound dressing. They have represented remarkable potency to encapsulate and deliver biomolecules promoting the wound healing process. Compared to synthetic polymers, naturally derived polymers (NDP) are more qualified candidates for fabrication of biomedical electrospun scaffolds. Not only nanofibers of NDP illustrate higher biocompatibility and biodegradability rates, but also they mimic the native extracellular matrix more closely, which leads to the wound closure acceleration by enhancing tissue regeneration. Aside, incorporation of bioactive molecules and therapeutic agents into the nanofibers can generate innovative bioactive wound dressings with significantly improved healing potentials. This paper starts with a brief discussion on the steps and factors influencing the wound healing process. Then, the recent applications of electrospun nanofibers as wound dressing with healing accelerating properties are reviewed. Further, the various healing agents and alternative strategies for modification and functionalization of bioactive naturally-derived electrospun nanofibers are discussed.

Potential Mechanisms of Action of Curcumin for Cancer Prevention: Focus on Cellular Signaling Pathways and miRNAs

Despite significant progressions in treatment modalities over the last decade, either cancer incidence or mortality is continuously on the rise throughout the world. Current anticancer agents display limited efficacy, accompanied by severe side effects. In order to improve therapeutic outcomes in patients with cancer, it is crucial to identify novel, highly efficacious pharmacological agents. Curcumin, a hydrophobic polyphenol extracted from turmeric, has gained increasing attention due to its powerful anticancer properties. Curcumin can inhibit the growth, invasion and metastasis of various cancers. The anticancer mechanisms of curcumin have been extensively studied. The anticancer effects of curcumin are mainly mediated through its regulation of multiple cellular signaling pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/Akt, JAK/STAT, MAPK, p53 and NF-ĸB signaling pathways. Moreover, curcumin also orchestrates the expression and activity of oncogenic and tumor-suppressive miRNAs. In this review, we summarized the regulation of these signaling pathways by curcumin in different cancers. We also discussed the modulatory function of curcumin in the downregulation of oncogenic miRNAs and the upregulation of tumor-suppressive miRNAs. An in-depth understanding of the anticancer mechanisms of curcumin will be helpful for developing this promising compound as a therapeutic agent in clinical management of cancer.

Effects of curcumin on glycemic control and lipid profile in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Scope

Studies have demonstrated inconsistent effects of curcumin on glycemic outcomes and lipid parameters in patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to assess the effect of curcumin on glycemic control and lipid profile in prediabetes and T2DM.

Methods and results

A systematic search of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted from inception to June 2018 in electronic sources including AMED, ANZCTR, BioMed Central, CENTRAL, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, Expanded Academic Index, Google Scholar, ISRCTN, LILACS, MEDLINE, NCCIH, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, and WHO ICTRP. Hand search was also performed. Of the total 486 records, four trials (N = 508) and eight trials (N = 646) were eligible for the meta-analysis of individuals with prediabetes and T2DM, respectively. Curcumin significantly reduced glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in prediabetics (MD: -0.9%, 95% CI: -1.7 to -0.1%, p = 0.03). Furthermore, T2DM subjects gained favorable reduction in both HbA1c (MD: -0.5%, 95% CI: -1.0 to -0.0%, p = 0.04) and fasting plasma glucose (MD: -11.7 mg/dL, 95% CI: -22.1 to -1.3 mg/dL, p = 0.03). Tendency of lipid profile improvement was also observed.

Conclusion

Our findings may encourage curcumin supplementation based on its meaningful effect on glycemic control and positive trend on lipid outcomes in prediabetes and T2DM.

Ginger and Turmeric Essential Oils for Weed Control and Food Crop Protection

Ginger and turmeric are two food ingredients that are in high demand due to their flavor and positive effects on health. The biological properties of these spices are closely related to the aromatic compounds they contain. The chemical compositions of their essential oils and their in vitro phytotoxic activity against weeds (Portulaca oleracea, Lolium multiflorum, Echinochloa crus-galli, Cortaderia selloana, and Nicotiana glauca) and food crops (tomato, cucumber, and rice) were studied. Forty-one compounds, accounting for a relative peak area of 87.7% and 94.6% of turmeric and ginger essential oils, respectively, were identified by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry analysis. Ginger essential oil with α-zingiberene (24.9 ± 0.8%), β-sesquiphelladrene (11.7 ± 0.3%), ar-curcumene (10.7 ± 0.2%), and β-bisabolene (10.5 ± 0.3%) as the main compounds significantly inhibited the seed germination of P. oleracea, L. multiflorum, and C. selloana at the highest dose (1 µL/mL) assayed, as well as the hypocotyl and radicle growth of the weeds. Turmeric essential oil with ar-turmerone (38.7 ± 0.8%), β-turmerone (18.6 ± 0.6%), and α-turmerone (14.2 ± 0.9%) as principal components significantly inhibited the seed germination of C. selloana and hypocotyl and radicle growth of weeds (the latter in particular) at the highest dose, whereas it did not affect either the seed germination or seedling growth of the food crops. Turmeric essential oil can be an effective post-emergent bioherbicide against the tested weeds without phytotoxicity to crops.

Phytochemical Evaluation, Embryotoxicity, and Teratogenic Effects of Curcuma longa Extract on Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Curcuma longa L. is a rhizome plant often used as traditional medicinal preparations in Southeast Asia. The dried powder is commonly known as cure-all herbal medicine with a wider spectrum of pharmaceutical activities. In spite of the widely reported therapeutic applications of C. longa, research on its safety and teratogenic effects on zebrafish embryos and larvae is still limited. Hence, this research aimed to assess the toxicity of C. longa extract on zebrafish. Using a reflux flask, methanol extract of C. longa was extracted and the identification and quantification of total flavonoids were carried out with HPLC. Twelve fertilized embryos were selected to test the embryotoxicity and teratogenicity at different concentration points. The embryos were exposed to the extract in the E3M medium while the control was only exposed to E3M and different developmental endpoints were recorded with the therapeutic index calculated using the ratio of LC50/EC50. C. longa extract was detected to be highly rich in flavonoids with catechin, epicatechin, and naringenin as the 3 most abundant with concentrations of 3,531.34, 688.70, and 523.83μg/mL, respectively. The toxicity effects were discovered to be dose-dependent at dosage above 62.50μg/mL, while, at 125.0μg/mL, mortality of embryos was observed and physical body deformities of larvae were recorded among the hatched embryos at higher concentrations. Teratogenic effect of the extract was severe at higher concentrations producing physical body deformities such as kink tail, bend trunk, and enlarged yolk sac edema. Finally, the therapeutic index (TI) values calculated were approximately the same for different concentration points tested. Overall, the result revealed that plants having therapeutic potential could also pose threats when consumed at higher doses especially on the embryos. Therefore, detailed toxicity analysis should be carried out on medicinal plants to ascertain their safety on the embryos and its development.

Curcuminoids: Implication for inflammation and oxidative stress in cardiovascular diseases

It has been extensively verified that inflammation and oxidative stress play important roles in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Curcuminoids, from the plant Curcuma longa, have three major active ingredients, which include curcumin (curcumin I), demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin. Curcuminoids have been used in traditional medicine for CVDs' management and other comorbidities for centuries. Numerous studies had delineated their anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and other medicinally relevant properties. Animal experiments and clinical trials have also demonstrated that turmeric and curcuminoids can effectively reduce atherosclerosis, cardiac hypertrophy, hypertension, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and diabetic cardiovascular complications. In this review, we introduce and summarize curcuminoids' molecular and biological significance, while focusing on their mechanistic anti-inflammatory/antioxidative involvements in CVDs and preventive effects against CVDs, and, finally, discuss relevant clinical applications.

Molecular Mechanisms and Bioavailability of Polyphenols in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers among men over the age of 50. Several lines of evidence support the observation that polyphenols have preventive and therapeutic effects in prostate cancer. Moreover, prostate cancer is ideal for chemoprevention due to its long latency. We propose here an equilibrated lifestyle with a diet rich in polyphenols as prophylactic attempts to slow down the progression of localized prostate cancer or prevent the occurrence of the disease. In this review, we will first summarize the molecular mechanisms of polyphenols in prostate cancer with a focus on the antioxidant and pro-oxidant effects, androgen receptors (AR), key molecules involved in AR signaling and their transactivation pathways, cell cycle, apoptosis, angiogenesis, metastasis, genetic aspects, and epigenetic mechanisms. The relevance of the molecular mechanisms is discussed in light of current bioavailability data regarding the activity of polyphenols in prostate cancer. We also highlight strategies for improving the bioavailability of polyphenols. We hope that this review will lead to further research regarding the bioavailability and the role of polyphenols in prostate cancer prevention and treatment.

The protective activity of nanomicelle curcumin in bisphenol A-induced cardiotoxicity following subacute exposure in rats

Bisphenol A (BPA), an estrogenic compound, is used in manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric, is a potent protective compound against cardiac diseases. In this study the protective effect of nanomicelle curcumin on BPA-induced subchronic cardiotoxicity in rats was evaluated. Rats were divided into 6 groups including control, nanomicelle curcumin (50 mg/kg, gavage), BPA (50 mg/kg, gavage), nanomicelle curcumin (10, 25, and 50 mg/kg) plus BPA. The treatments were continued for 4 weeks. Results revealed that BPA significantly induced histophatological injuries including focal lymphatic inflammation, nuclear degenerative changes and cytoplasmic vacuolation, increased body weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, malondialdehyde and Creatine phosphokinase-MB level and decreased glutathione content in comparison with control group. In addition, in electrocardiographic graph, RR, QT, and PQ intervals were increased by BPA. Western blot analysis showed that BPA up-regulated phosphorylated p38 (p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase) and JNK (c-jun NH2 terminal kinases), while down-regulated phosphorylated AKT (Protein Kinase B) and ERK1/2 (extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2). However, nanomicelle curcumin (50 mg/kg) significantly improved these toxic effects of BPA in rat heart tissue. The results provide evidence that nanomicelle curcumin showed preventive effects on subchronic exposure to BPA induced toxicity in the heart tissue in rats.

Dietary Compounds as Epigenetic Modulating Agents in Cancer

Epigenetic mechanisms control gene expression during normal development and their aberrant regulation may lead to human diseases including cancer. Natural phytochemicals can largely modulate mammalian epigenome through regulation of mechanisms and proteins responsible for chromatin remodeling. Phytochemicals are mainly contained in fruits, seeds, and vegetables as well as in foods supplements. These compounds act as powerful cellular antioxidants and anti-carcinogens agents. Several dietary compounds such as catechins, curcumin, genistein, quercetin and resveratrol, among others, exhibit potent anti-tumor activities through the reversion of epigenetic alterations associated to oncogenes activation and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. In this review, we summarized the actual knowledge about the role of dietary phytochemicals in the restoration of aberrant epigenetic alterations found in cancer cells with a particular focus on DNA methylation and histone modifications. Furthermore, we discussed the mechanisms by which these natural compounds modulate gene expression at epigenetic level and described their molecular targets in diverse types of cancer. Modulation of epigenetic activities by phytochemicals will allow the discovery of novel biomarkers for cancer prevention, and highlights its potential as an alternative therapeutic approach in cancer.

Nano-curcumin improves glucose indices, lipids, inflammation, and Nesfatin in overweight and obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background

Since lifestyle changes are main therapies for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), changing dietary components (nutritional or bioactive) may play a parallel important role. Few studies have assessed the effects of curcumin on NAFLD (mainly antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects). We aimed to determine the effects of nano-curcumin (NC) on overweight/obese NAFLD patients by assessing glucose, lipids, inflammation, insulin resistance, and liver function indices, especially through nesfatin.

Methods

This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in the Oil Company Central Hospital, Tehran. 84 overweight/obese patients with NAFLD diagnosed using ultrasonography were recruited according to the eligibility criteria (age 25–50 yrs., body mass index [BMI] 25–35 kg/m²). The patients were randomly divided into two equal NC (n = 42) and placebo (n = 42) groups. Interventions were two 40 mg capsules/day after meals for 3 months. Lifestyle changes were advised. A general questionnaire, a 24-h food recall (at the beginning, middle and end), and the short-form international physical activity questionnaire (at the beginning and end) were completed. Also, blood pressure, fatty liver degree, anthropometrics, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and insulin (FBI), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), high sensitive c-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), liver transaminases, and nesfatin were determined at the beginning and end.

Results

NC compared with placebo significantly increased HDL, QUICKI, and nesfatin and decreased fatty liver degree, liver transaminases, waist circumference (WC), FBS, FBI, HbA1c, TG, TC, LDL, HOMA-IR, TNF-α, hs-CRP, and IL-6 (P < 0.05). The mean changes in weight, BMI, body composition (BC), and blood pressure were not significant (P > 0.05). After adjustment for confounders, the changes were similar to the unadjusted model.

Conclusion

NC supplementation in overweight/obese NAFLD patients improved glucose indices, lipids, inflammation, WC, nesfatin, liver transaminases, and fatty liver degree. Accordingly, the proposed mechanism for ameliorating NAFLD with NC was approved by the increased serum nesfatin and likely consequent improvements in inflammation, lipids, and glucose profile. Further trials of nano-curcumin’s effects are suggested.

Trial registration

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT2016071915536N3. Registered 2016-08-02.

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of curcumin in prevention and treatment of disease

Curcumin is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound present in rhizome of Curcuma longa belonging to the family zingiberaceae. Growing experimental evidence revealed that curcumin exhibit multitarget biological implications signifying its crucial role in health and disease. The current review highlights the recent progress and mechanisms underlying the wide range of pharmacological effects of curcumin against numerous diseases like neuronal, cardiovascular, metabolic, kidney, endocrine, skin, respiratory, infectious, gastrointestinal diseases and cancer. The ability of curcumin to modulate the functions of multiple signal transductions are linked with attenuation of acute and chronic diseases. Numerous preclinical and clinical studies have revealed that curcumin modulates several molecules in cell signal transduction pathway including PI3K, Akt, mTOR, ERK5, AP-1, TGF-β, Wnt, β-catenin, Shh, PAK1, Rac1, STAT3, PPARγ, EBPα, NLRP3 inflammasome, p38MAPK, Nrf2, Notch-1, AMPK, TLR-4 and MyD-88. Curcumin has a potential to prevent and/or manage various diseases due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic properties with an excellent safety profile. In contrast, the anti-cancer effects of curcumin are reflected due to induction of growth arrest and apoptosis in various premalignant and malignant cells. This review also carefully emphasized the pharmacokinetics of curcumin and its interaction with other drugs. Clinical studies have shown that curcumin is safe at the doses of 12 g/day but exhibits poor systemic bioavailability. The use of adjuvant like piperine, liposomal curcumin, curcumin nanoparticles and curcumin phospholipid complex has shown enhanced bioavailability and therapeutic potential. Further studies are warranted to prove the potential of curcumin against various ailments.

Bioactivity of dietary polyphenols: The role of metabolites

A polyphenol-rich diet protects against chronic pathologies by modulating numerous physiological processes, such as cellular redox potential, enzymatic activity, cell proliferation and signaling transduction pathways. However, polyphenols have a low oral bioavailability mainly due to an extensive biotransformation mediated by phase I and phase II reactions in enterocytes and liver but also by gut microbiota. Despite low oral bioavailability, most polyphenols proved significant biological effects which brought into attention the low bioavailability/high bioactivity paradox. In recent years, polyphenol metabolites have attracted great interest as many of them showed similar or higher intrinsic biological effects in comparison to the parent compounds. There is a huge body of literature reporting on the biological functions of polyphenol metabolites generated by phase I and phase II metabolic reactions and gut microbiota-mediated biotransformation. In this respect, the review highlights the pharmacokinetic fate of the major dietary polyphenols (resveratrol, curcumin, quercetin, rutin, genistein, daidzein, ellagitannins, proanthocyanidins) in order to further address the efficacy of biometabolites as compared to parent molecules. The present work strongly supports the contribution of metabolites to the health benefits of polyphenols, thus offering a better perspective in understanding the role played by dietary polyphenols in human health.

Highly photoluminescent and temperature-sensitive P, N, B-co-doped carbon quantum dots and their highly sensitive recognition for curcumin

Temperature-sensitive P, N, B-co-doped carbon quantum dots (PNBCDs) synthesized using one-pot method exhibit many excellent features, such as strong fluorescence, good stability and sensitive detection for curcumin.

Curcumin inhibits cigarette smoke-induced inflammation via modulating the PPARγ-NF-κB signaling pathway

The PPARγ-NF-κB signaling pathway is involved in the anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin on cigarette smoke-induced COPD models.

Effect of curcumin on memory impairment: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Memory impairment (MI) is one of the most common complaints of people referred to physicians for proper diagnosis. In addition, the prevalence of neurodegenerative lesions like Alzheimer is generally on the increase. Thus far, numerous laboratory studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of curcumin on the improvement of MI.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to review the efficacy of curcumin on MI in animal studies.

METHODS

Keywords related to memory and curcumin were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases based on MeSH; and articles published until July 2017 were later extracted. Then the articles (full text or abstract) were examined based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The present study evaluated articles that did not include specific pathologies such as Alzheimer.

RESULTS

A total of 90 articles met the inclusion criteria but only 25 articles underwent final review. The minimum and maximum dosages of curcumin were 5 and 480  mg/kg respectively. Curcumin was administered over the period of 1-84 days. The results of 24 articles showed that curcumin moderates short-term and long-term MI in various laboratory models such as aging, acute and chronic stress, anxiety, smoking, benzodiazepine and anticonvulsant consumption, and other conditions associated with increased oxidative stress.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study revealed that curcumin moderated or reversed MI in rodents and did not have a placebo effect. Accordingly, curcumin can play a preventive and therapeutic role in MI.

Preparation of Curcuma Longa L. Extract Nanoparticles Using Supercritical Solution Expansion

Nanoparticles of Curcuma longa Linn (turmeric) rhizome extract were prepared using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂). The SC-CO₂ was used for sample pre-treatment, including lipophilic compounds removal and extraction, as well as particle production. The particle formation process was based on the expansion of supercritical solution of plant extract into a secondary chamber. In the course of the expansion of supercritical solution process, the herbal extract changed from dissolved mode at higher pressures to precipitated mode at lower pressures, as long as the pressures were higher than the critical pressure. The particle growth via coagulation was limited by a large number of unsuccessful collisions between CO₂ molecules and primary nuclei due to the presence of pressurized CO₂ molecules where the particle formation occurs. The presence of curcumin derivatives in nanoparticles was confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry results. Irregular to quasi-spherical particles with average diameter of 47 ± 20 nm (n = 300) were prepared at a pre-expansion pressure of 35 MPa, pressure drop of 24 MPa, temperature of 50°C, equilibration time of 30 min, collection time of 60 min, extract volume of 30 μL, and feeding solution concentration of 2 mg mL^-1.

Tetrahydrocurcumin and octahydrocurcumin, the primary and final hydrogenated metabolites of curcumin, possess superior hepatic-protective effect against acetaminophen-induced liver injury: Role of CYP2E1 and Keap1-Nrf2 pathway

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose-induced hepatotoxicity is tightly associated with oxidative stress. Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) and octahydrocurcumin (OHC), the primary and final hydrogenated metabolites of curcumin (CUR), possess stronger antioxidant activity in vitro. The present study was performed to investigate the potential and mechanism of OHC and THC against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in parallel to CUR. Our results showed that OHC and THC dose-dependently enhanced liver function (ALT and AST levels) and alleviated histopathological deterioration. Besides, OHC and THC significantly restored the hepatic antioxidant status by miring level of MDA and ROS, and elevated levels of GSH, SOD, CAT and T-AOC. In addition, OHC and THC markedly suppressed the activity and expressions of CYP2E1, and bound to the active sites of CYP2E1. Moreover, OHC and THC activated the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway and enormously enhanced the translational activation of Nrf2-targeted gene (GCLC, GCLM, NQO1 and HO-1) against oxidative stress, via inhibiting the expression of Keap1 and blocking the interaction between Keap1 and Nrf2. Particularly, OHC and THC exerted superior hepato-protective and antioxidant activities to CUR. In conclusion, OHC and THC possess favorable hepato-protective effect through restoring antioxidant status, inhibiting CYP2E1 and activating Keap1-Nrf2 pathway, which might represent promising antioxidants for the treatment of APAP-induced hepatotoxicity.

Curcumin alleviates DSS-induced colitis via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammsome activation and IL-1β production

BACKGROUND

NLRP3 inflammasome mediates IL-1β maturation, therefore plays a vital role in the development of IBD. Curcumin is known for possessing strong anti-inflammatory property.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was to investigate the protective effects of curcumin on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis through inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and IL-1β production.

METHODS

LPS-primed macrophages were treated with curcumin prior to DSS triggering NLRP3 inflammasome activation, IL-1β secretion and ASC oligomerization were observed. The mechanisms of curcumin in the inhibition of DSS-induced inflammasome activation were explored. Curcumin or caspase-1/NLRP3 inhibitor was administrated respectively in DSS-induced colitis mouse model. The changes of body weight, disease activity index, colon length were measured. Additionally, mature IL-1β and other inflammatory cytokines, MPO activity and histopathological damage were analyzed for the evaluation of colitis severity.

RESULTS

NLRP3 inflammasome activation was dramatically inhibited by curcumin in DSS-stimulated macrophages, as evidenced by decreased IL-1β secretion, less caspase-1 activation and ASC specks. Mechanistically, curcumin prevented DSS-induced K⁺ efflux, intracellular ROS formation and cathepsin B release, three major cellular events mediating NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In DSS-induced colitis, curcumin administration significantly ameliorated colitis symptoms by reducing weight loss, DAI and colon length shortening. Meanwhile, curcumin significantly decreased the expression of multiple inflammatory cytokines (including mature IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1), MPO activity, caspase-1 activity as well as histopathological damage. Furthermore, blockage of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vivo with specific NLRP3 inhibitor abrogated the further inhibitory effect of curcumin on DSS-induced colitis.

CONCLUSION

Curcumin could strongly suppress DSS-induced NLRP3 inflammsome activation and alleviate DSS-induced colitis in mice, thus it may be a promising candidate drug in clinical application for IBD therapy.

Curcumin, Cardiometabolic Health and Dementia

Current research indicates curcumin [diferuloylmethane; a polyphenolic compound isolated from the rhizomes of the dietary spice turmeric (Curcuma longa)] exerts a beneficial effect on health which may be partly attributable to its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this review is to examine potential mechanisms of the actions of curcumin in both animal and human studies. Curcumin modulates relevant molecular target pathways to improve glucose and lipid metabolism, suppress inflammation, stimulate antioxidant enzymes, facilitate insulin signalling and reduce gut permeability. Curcumin also inhibits Aβ and tau accumulation in animal models and enhances mitochondria and synaptic function. In conclusion, in high-dose animal studies and in vitro, curcumin exerts a potential beneficial effect on cardiometabolic disease. However, human studies are relatively unconvincing. More intervention studies should be conducted with the new curcumin formulation with improved oral bioavailability.

The Cancer Prevention, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Oxidation of Bioactive Phytochemicals Targeting the TLR4 Signaling Pathway

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a well-known family of pattern recognition receptors that play an important role in a host immune system. TLR triggering leads to the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, driving the activation of both innate and adaptive immunity. Recently, an increasing number studies have shown the link between TLRs and cancer. Among them, the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway is associated with inflammatory response and cancer progression. Dietary phytochemicals are potential modulators of immunological status with various pharmacological properties including anti-cancer, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory. Curcumin, 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol, 1-dehydro-10-gingerdione, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), luteolin, quercetin, resveratrol, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, xanthohumol, genistein, berberine, and sulforaphane can inhibit TLR4 activation. The aim of the present review is to describe the role of the TLR4 signaling pathway between inflammatory response and cancer progression. We further introduce bioactive phytochemicals with potential anti-inflammation and chemoprevention by inhibiting TLR activation.

Evidence of curcumin and curcumin analogue effects in skin diseases: A narrative review

Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic and yellow pigment obtained from the spice turmeric, has strong antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Due to these properties, curcumin has been used as a remedy for the prevention and treatment of skin aging and disorders such as psoriasis, infection, acne, skin inflammation, and skin cancer. Curcumin has protective effects against skin damage caused by chronic ultraviolet B radiation. One of the challenges in maximizing the therapeutic potential of curcumin is its low bioavailability, limited aqueous solubility, and chemical instability. In this regard, the present review is focused on recent studies concerning the use of curcumin for the treatment of skin diseases, as well as offering new and efficient strategies to optimize its pharmacokinetic profile and increase its bioavailability.

Activation of PPARγ by Curcumin protects mice from ischemia/reperfusion injury induced by orthotopic liver transplantation via modulating polarization of Kupffer cells

Curcumin shows protective effects on various diseases due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative functions; however, its effect on organ transplantation has not been fully elucidated. To understand its role in liver ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, we studied its impact on orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and Kupffer cells (KCs) polarization and its underlying mechanisms. We first investigated the reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and cytokines profile of KCs, intracellular ROS and the mRNA level of pro-inflammatory cytokines were downregulated while the mRNA level of anti-inflammatory cytokine was upregulated by the pretreatment of Curcumin; Then the liver injury was detected by histopathological examination and liver function. Pretreatment with Curcumin significantly alleviated liver injury while improving liver function and overall post-transplantation survival compared with the control groups. The Western blotting showed that Curcumin inhibited the function of KCs via down-regulating the nuclear factor κb (NF-κb) signaling pathway by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and flow cytometry revealed that Curcumin suppressed pro-inflammatory phenotype (M1) of KCs while promoting its anti-inflammatory phenotype (M2) polarization. These results showed that Curcumin may exert positive effects on I/R injury after OLT through activating PPARγ by inhibiting the activation of NF-κb pathway and remodeling the polarization of KCs. This may reveal a potential therapy for I/R injury after liver transplantation.

Asymmetric Primaquine and Halogenaniline Fumardiamides as Novel Biologically Active Michael Acceptors

Novel primaquine (PQ) and halogenaniline asymmetric fumardiamides 4a⁻f, potential Michael acceptors, and their reduced analogues succindiamides 5a⁻f were prepared by simple three-step reactions: coupling reaction between PQ and mono-ethyl fumarate (1a) or mono-methyl succinate (1b), hydrolysis of PQ-dicarboxylic acid mono-ester conjugates 2a,b to corresponding acids 3a,b, and a coupling reaction with halogenanilines. 1-[bis(Dimethylamino)methylene]-1H-1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-b]pyridinium 3-oxide hexafluorophosphate (HATU) was used as a coupling reagent along with Hünig's base. Compounds 4 and 5 were evaluated against a panel of bacteria, several Mycobacterium strains, fungi, a set of viruses, and nine different human tumor cell lines. p-Chlorofumardiamide 4d showed significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus,Streptococcus pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii, but also against Candida albicans (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) 6.1⁻12.5 µg/mL). Together with p-fluoro and p-CF₃ fumardiamides 4b,f, compound 4d showed activity against Mycobacterium marinum and 4b,f against M. tuberculosis. In biofilm eradication assay, most of the bacteria, particularly S. aureus, showed susceptibility to fumardiamides. m-CF₃ and m-chloroaniline fumardiamides 4e and 4c showed significant antiviral activity against reovirus-1, sindbis virus and Punta Toro virus (EC50 = 3.1⁻5.5 µM), while 4e was active against coxsackie virus B4 (EC50 = 3.1 µM). m-Fluoro derivative 4a exerted significant cytostatic activity (IC50 = 5.7⁻31.2 μM). Acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells were highly susceptible towards m-substituted derivatives 4a,c,e (IC50 = 6.7⁻8.9 μM). Biological evaluations revealed that fumardiamides 4 were more active than succindiamides 5 indicating importance of Michael conjugated system.

Data-driven analysis of biomedical literature suggests broad-spectrum benefits of culinary herbs and spices

Spices and herbs are key dietary ingredients used across cultures worldwide. Beyond their use as flavoring and coloring agents, the popularity of these aromatic plant products in culinary preparations has been attributed to their antimicrobial properties. Last few decades have witnessed an exponential growth of biomedical literature investigating the impact of spices and herbs on health, presenting an opportunity to mine for patterns from empirical evidence. Systematic investigation of empirical evidence to enumerate the health consequences of culinary herbs and spices can provide valuable insights into their therapeutic utility. We implemented a text mining protocol to assess the health impact of spices by assimilating, both, their positive and negative effects. We conclude that spices show broad-spectrum benevolence across a range of disease categories in contrast to negative effects that are comparatively narrow-spectrum. We also implement a strategy for disease-specific culinary recommendations of spices based on their therapeutic tradeoff against adverse effects. Further by integrating spice-phytochemical-disease associations, we identify bioactive spice phytochemicals potentially involved in their therapeutic effects. Our study provides a systems perspective on health effects of culinary spices and herbs with applications for dietary recommendations as well as identification of phytochemicals potentially involved in underlying molecular mechanisms.

Use of Chinese Medicine Reduces the Development of Cervical Cancer from Pap Smear-Diagnosed Cervical Dysplasia: A Case-Control Study

The Pap test diagnosed cervical dysplasia, which could recover to normal or progress to cervical cancer (CC), is an early stage of cell abnormality before CC. This case-control study analyzed the differences in the risk to develop CC between Chinese medicine (CM) users and nonusers among women who had ever been diagnosed as having cervical dysplasia. A total of 750 CC patients with a cervical dysplasia history were collected between 1998 and 2011 from National Health Insurance Research Database, and controls were women with cervical dysplasia history but did not develop CC. Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for developing CC was assessed using multivariable logistic regression after adjusting for age, urbanization of residence, and occupation. The proportion of using CM among CC patients was lower than that among CC nonpatients, with an aOR of 0.8. By analyzing the relationship between CC development and the frequency of CM usage, the trend test revealed a significant decreasing trend for developing CC among high-frequency CM users. Moreover, the most frequently used single herb high-frequency was Rheum palmatum (Da-Huang). The usage of CM might be an effective complementary method to prevent uterine cervix from progressing to CC after cervical dysplasia has occurred.

Synthesis of water-soluble curcumin derivatives and their inhibition on lysozyme amyloid fibrillation

The potential application of curcumin was heavily limited in biomedicine because of its poor solubility in pure water. To circumvent the detracting feature, two novel water-soluble amino acid modified curcumin derivatives (MLC and DLC) have been synthesized through the condensation reaction between curcumin and N^α-Fmoc-N^ε-Boc-l-lysine. Benefiting from the enhanced solubility of 3.32×10^-2g/mL for MLC and 4.66×10^-2g/mL for DLC, the inhibition effects of the as-prepared derivatives on the amyloid fibrillation of lysozyme (HEWL) were investigated detaily in water solution. The obtained results showed that the amyloid fibrillation of HEWL was inhibited to a great extent when the concentrations of MLC and DLC reach to 20.139mM and 49.622mM, respectively. The fluorescence quenching upon the addition of curcumin to HEWL provide a support for static and dynamic recombination quenching process. The binding driving force was assigned to classical hydrophobic interaction between curcumin derivatives and HEWL. In addition, UV-Vis absorption and circular dichroism (CD) spectra confirmed the change of the conformation of HEWL.