"Spicing up" of the immune system by curcumin

Role of Curcuma longae Rhizoma in medical applications: research challenges and opportunities

Curcuma longae Rhizoma, commonly known as turmeric, is extensively utilized not only in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) but also across various traditional medicine systems worldwide. It is renowned for its effectiveness in removing blood stasis, promoting blood circulation, and relieving pain. The primary bioactive metabolites of Curcuma longae Rhizoma-curcumin, β-elemene, curcumol, and curdione-have been extensively studied for their pharmacological benefits. These include anti-tumor properties, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protection, immune regulation, liver protection, and their roles as analgesics, anti-inflammatories, antivirals, antibacterials, hypoglycemics, and antioxidants. This review critically examines the extensive body of research regarding the mechanisms of action of Curcuma longae Rhizoma, which engages multiple molecular targets and signaling pathways such as NF-κB, MAPKs, and PI3K/AKT. The core objective of this review is to assess how the main active metabolites of turmeric interact with these molecular systems to achieve therapeutic outcomes in various clinical settings. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges related to the bioavailability of these metabolites and explore potential methods to enhance their therapeutic effects. By doing so, this review aims to provide fresh insights into the optimization of Curcuma longae Rhizoma for broader clinical applications.

Curcumin as a regulator of Th17 cells: Unveiling the mechanisms

Curcumin, a polyphenol natural product derived from turmeric, possesses diverse pharmacological effects due to its interactions with various cells and molecules. Recent studies have highlighted its immunomodulatory properties, including its impact on immune cells and mediators involved in immune responses. Th17 cells play a crucial role in promoting immune responses against extracellular pathogens by recruiting neutrophils and inducing inflammation. These cells produce inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-21, IL-17A, IL-23, IL-17F, IL-22, and IL-26. Curcumin has been shown to significantly inhibit the proliferation of Th17 cells and reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-22, and IL-17. This review aims to assess the effectiveness of curcumin and its underlying mechanisms in modulating Th17 cells.

Rapamycin vs TORin-1 or Gleevec vs Nilotinib: Simple chemical evolution that converts PAK1-blockers to TOR-blockers or vice versa?

Both PAK1 (RAC/CDC42-activating kinase 1) and TOR (Target of Rapamycin) are among the major oncogenic/ageing kinases. However, they play the opposite role in our immune system, namely immune system is suppressed by PAK1, while it requires TOR. Thus, PAK1-blockers, would be more effective for therapy of cancers, than TOR-blockers. Since 2015 when we discovered genetically that PDGF-induced melanogenesis depends on "PAK1", we are able to screening a series of PAK1-blockers as melanogenesis-inhibitors which could eventually promote longevity. Interestingly, rapamycin, the first TOR-inhibitor, promotes melanogenesis, clearly indicating that TOR suppresses melanogenesis. However, a new TOR-inhibitor called TORin-1 no longer suppresses immune system, and blocks melanogenesis in cell culture. These observations strongly indicate that TORin-1 acts as PAK1-blockers, instead of TOR-blockers, in vivo. Thus, it is most likely that melanogenesis in cell culture could enable us to discriminate PAK1-blockers from TORblockers.

Unauthentic Information About Celiac Disease on Social Networking Pages: Is It a Matter of Concern in Celiac Disease Management?

BACKGROUND

Facebook (FB) is the most popular online networking platform. Many celiac disease Facebook (CD-FB) pages spread awareness about celiac disease (CD). To get the latest information, patients with CD frequently follow such pages. However, little is known about whether such pages provide authentic and reliable information.

AIMS

This study aims to investigate whether CD-FB pages spread misleading information to patients with CD.

METHODS

On the Facebook social networking platform, CD-FB pages created in three celiac-prevalent countries (Italy, the USA, and India) were explored using different combinations of keywords. The type/category of the CD-FB page, country of origin, purpose, page web link, and number of followers/members were documented in a Microsoft spreadsheet. All posts distributed on selected CD-FB pages in the last 3 years were thoroughly screened.

RESULTS

From August 2022 to March 2023, a total of 200 CD-FB pages from Italy, the USA, and India were explored. Out of these 200 pages, 155 CD-FB (Italy 70; the USA 46; India 39) were found eligible. Of them, 20 (13%) CD-FB pages (Italy 4; the USA 5; India 11) shared misleading information about CD. Surprisingly, 11 (8%) of these 20 pages (Italy 0; the USA 2; India 9) supported alternative treatment options for CD.

CONCLUSIONS

CD-FB pages are useful for disseminating celiac-disease-related information. While most such pages provide useful information, 13% of CD-FB pages allow misleading information. Patients with CD should consult their treating unit before following any uncertain information posted on CD-FB pages.

The effects of dietary Spirulina platensis or curcumin nanoparticles on performance, body chemical composition, blood biochemical, digestive enzyme, antioxidant and immune activities of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings

CONTEXT

Recently, prioritize has been given to using natural phytogenic or nano compounds as growth promoters and immunostimulants in fish diets as an alternative to antibiotics.

AIMS

The main propose of this trial was to determine the impact of supplementing diets with spirulina or curcumin nanoparticles on the performance and health indicators of Nile tilapia fingerlings.

METHODS

In a 56-day feeding trial, 180 tilapia fingerlings were assigned into three main groups, as follows: 1st, control group, 2nd, Spirulina platensis (SP; 5 g kg-1 diet) and 3rd, curcumin nanoparticles (CUR-NPs; 30 mg kg-1 diet).

KEY RESULTS

Incorporating tilapia diets with SP or CUR-NPs significantly improved performance, body chemical analysis, blood biochemical and hematological indices, digestive enzyme activities, and antioxidant and immunostimulant features compared to the control.

CONCLUSION

Fortified tilapia diets with CUR-NPs or SP efficiently boost the productivity and health of Nile tilapia fingerlings.

IMPLICATIONS

The research introduces new practical solutions for applying safe feed additives as alternatives to antibiotics in tilapia farming.

Therapeutic potential of natural products in schistosomiasis-associated liver fibrosis

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that endangers human health and social development. The granulomatous reaction of Schistosoma eggs in the liver is the main cause of hepatosplenomegaly and fibrotic lesions. Anti liver fibrosis therapy is crucial for patients with chronic schistosomiasis. Although Praziquantel is the only clinical drug used, it is limited in insecticide treatment and has a long-term large-scale use, which is forcing the search for cost-effective alternatives. Previous research has demonstrated that plant metabolites and extracts have effective therapeutic effects on liver fibrosis associated with schistosomiasis. This paper summarizes the mechanisms of action of metabolites and some plant extracts in alleviating schistosomiasis-associated liver fibrosis. The analysis was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases. Some plant metabolites and extracts ameliorate liver fibrosis by targeting multiple signaling pathways, including reducing inflammatory infiltration, oxidative stress, inhibiting alternate macrophage activation, suppressing hepatic stellate cell activation, and reducing worm egg load. Natural products improve liver fibrosis associated with schistosomiasis, but further research is needed to elucidate the effectiveness of natural products in treating liver fibrosis caused by schistosomiasis, as there is no reported data from clinical trials in the literature.

Augmentation of NK-cell activity and immunity by combined natural polyphenols and saccharides in vitro and in vivo

Curcuma longa and Sargassum coreanum are commonly used in traditional pharmaceutical medicine to improve immune function in chronic diseases. The present study was designed to systematically elucidate the in vitro and in vivo immuno-enhancing effects of a combination of C. longa and S. coreanum extracts (CS) that contain polyphenols and saccharides as functional molecules in a cyclophosphamide (Cy)-induced model of immunosuppression. In primary splenocytes, we observed the ameliorative effects of CS on a Cy-induced immunosuppression model with low cytotoxicity and an optimal mixture procedure. CS treatment enhanced T- and B-cell proliferation, increased splenic natural killer-cell activity, and restored cytokine release. Wistar rats were orally administered low (30 mg/kg), intermediate (100 mg/kg), or high (300 mg/kg) doses of CS for four weeks, followed by oral administration of Cy (5 mg/kg) for four weeks. Compared with the vehicle group, low-, intermediate-, and high-dose CS treatment accelerated dose-dependent recovery of the serum level of tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukin-2, and interleukin-12. These results suggest that CS treatment accelerates the amelioration of immune deficiency in Cy-treated primary splenocytes and rats, which supports considering it for immunity maintenance. Our findings provide experimental evidence for further research and clinical application in immunosuppressed patients.

Assessing the therapeutic potential and safety of traditional anti-obesity herbal blends in Palestine

The use of traditional herbal remedies has been a common practice for centuries across different cultures to treat various ailments. In Palestine, traditional herbal medicines are widely used, but their efficacy and safety have not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the biological activity and toxicity of two traditional herbal blends often used to treat obesity in the West Bank region of Palestine. Two herbal blends with a total of eight plants were chosen based on their historic use and availability. The plant aqueous extracts were evaluated for their antioxidant, anti-fibrotic, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and cytotoxic activities. The results showed that these blends have potent antifibrotic, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. While their activities on α-amylase and lipase enzymes (main targets) showed moderate activities. Therefore, our results showed that Herbal Blend 2 was more potent than Herbal Blend 1 on all investigated targets. Herbal Blend 2 showed significant activities as an antioxidant, antifibrotic, and anticancer activities with IC50 values of 68.16 ± 2.45, 33.97 ± 1.14, and 52.53 ± 0.78 µg/mL against DPPH, LX-2, and MCF-7 cell lines, respectively. While it is IC50 values on α-amylase and lipase enzymes were 243.73 ± 1.57 and 1358.39 ± 2.04 µg/mL, respectively. However, the use of anti-cancer plants can be challenging due to their cytotoxic effects on the body. We urge individuals to exercise caution when using natural remedies and to seek medical advice before incorporating them into their health regimens. This study provides valuable insight into the potential health benefits of traditional herbal remedies and emphasizes the importance of responsible usage.

Superparamagnetic Artificial Cells PLGA-Fe3O4 Micro/Nanocapsules for Cancer Targeted Delivery

Artificial cells have been extensively used in many fields, such as nanomedicine, biotherapy, blood substitutes, drug delivery, enzyme/gene therapy, cancer therapy, and the COVID-19 vaccine. The unique properties of superparamagnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles have contributed to increased interest in using superparamagnetic artificial cells (PLGA-Fe3O4 micro/nanocapsules) for targeted therapy. In this review, the preparation methods of Fe3O4 NPs and superparamagnetic artificial cell PLGA-drug-Fe3O4 micro/nanocapsules are discussed. This review also focuses on the recent progress of superparamagnetic PLGA-drug-Fe3O4 micro/nanocapsules as targeted therapeutics. We shall concentrate on the use of superparamagnetic artificial cells in the form of PLGA-drug-Fe3O4 nanocapsules for magnetic hyperthermia/photothermal therapy and cancer therapies, including lung breast cancer and glioblastoma.

Promising roles of Zingiber officinale roscoe, Curcuma longa L., and Momordica charantia L. as immunity modulators against COVID-19: A bibliometric analysis

Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, and Momordica charantia are medicinal plants that are commonly used in the form of herbal tea, which is formulated to strengthen the immune system, especially against COVID-19 infection. Excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulatory properties have been reported for their bioactive compounds, which have been shown to aid in stimulating immune systems as well as lowering the risk of severe COVID-19 such as lung injury. Yet, no bibliometric study on the subject is available. Hence, the purpose of this study is to quantitatively examine the existing articles related to the therapeutic potential of these three herbs, as well as their mechanisms of action in combating the SARS-CoV-2 virus. A total of 121 papers were retrieved from Scopus database up to 14^th March 2023. The bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOSviewer software. Based on the literature search, Z. officinale was the most researched plant. India appeared as the most prolific country, with the highest number of articles contributed by two authors from India (Rathi, R. and Gayatri Devi, R.). In terms of keywords, the plants were associated with immune modulation, management of symptoms, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities. Several important bioactive compounds were responsible for these effects such as gingerol, paradol, shogaol, curcumin, calebin A, momordicoside, karaviloside and cucurbitadienol. These compounds were hypothesized to prevent and cure COVID-19 by regulating inflammatory response, downregulating oxidative stress and modulating immunostimulatory activity. This review paper therefore supports the potential of Z. officinale, C. longa, and M. charantia to be formulated as a herbal blend for treating and preventing COVID-19 infection.

The Expression of Selected Cytokine Genes in the Livers of Young Castrated Bucks after Supplementation with a Mixture of Dry Curcuma longa and Rosmarinus officinalis Extracts

The study aims to determine the effect of supplementation with a mixture of Curcuma longa and Rosmarinus officinalis extracts (896:19 ratio) on the expression of 15 cytokine genes in the livers of 20 castrated goat bucks. Two equal groups were created: treated and control groups. The treated group was provided a mixture (1.6 g/day/buck) for 124 days. Liver tissue samples were collected after slaughter. The gene expression was analyzed using RT-qPCR with two reference genes. Variance analysis was conducted using a model with the group fixed effect. IL-2 and IL-8 expression was below the detection level. No differences were found for IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-16, IFN-α, IFN-β, TNF-α, and CCL4 expressions, suggesting that supplementation does not activate cytokine production in the healthy hepatocytes. The treated group demonstrated lower IL-12 expression (p < 0.05) and a tendency for higher IL-18 and INF-γ (0.05 < p < 0.10) expressions, which may indicate a hypersensitivity resulting from excessive supplement dose. The increased IFN-γ expression could be caused by the increased IL-18 expression. If a small dose of extract can induce an allergic reaction in young goat bucks, it is also possible that humans may be susceptible to an overdose of curcumin and/or turmeric extracts.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity of natural products in periodontal disease: a comprehensive review

Periodontal diseases (PD) are common chronic inflammatory oral pathologies that are strongly linked to others not found in the mouth cavity. The immune system mediates the host response, which includes the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, metalloproteinases, and reactive oxygen species (ROS); the latter may play an important role in the establishment and progression of inflammatory diseases, particularly periodontal disease, via the development of oxidative stress (OS). Natural antioxidants have powerful anti-inflammatory properties, and some can reduce serum levels of key PD indicators such tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin IL-1. This review compiles, through a thorough literature analysis, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects of a variety of natural products, as well as their therapeutic potential in the treatment of PD.

Plausibility of natural immunomodulators in the treatment of COVID-19-A comprehensive analysis and future recommendations

The COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted millions of deaths worldwide. Despite the availability of several vaccines and some special drugs approved for emergency use to prevent or treat this disease still, there is a huge concern regarding their effectiveness, adverse effects, and most importantly, their efficacy against the new variants. A cascade of immune-inflammatory responses is involved with the pathogenesis and severe complications with COVID-19. People with dysfunctional and compromised immune systems display severe complications, including acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis, multiple organ failure etc., when they get infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Plant-derived natural immune-suppressant compounds, such as resveratrol, quercetin, curcumin, berberine, luteolin, etc., have been reported to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Therefore, natural products with immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory potential could be plausible targets to treat this contagious disease. This review aims to delineate the clinical trials status and outcomes of natural compounds with immunomodulatory potential in COVID-19 patients along with the outcomes of their in-vivo studies. In clinical trials several natural immunomodulators resulted in significant improvement of COVID-19 patients by diminishing COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, and breathlessness. Most importantly, they reduced the duration of hospitalization and the need for supplemental oxygen therapy, improved clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19, especially weakness, and eliminated acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. This paper also discusses many potent natural immunomodulators yet to undergo clinical trials. In-vivo studies with natural immunomodulators demonstrated reduction of a wide range of proinflammatory cytokines. Natural immunomodulators that were found effective, safe, and well tolerated in small-scale clinical trials are warranted to undergo large-scale trials to be used as drugs to treat COVID-19 infections. Alongside, compounds yet to test clinically must undergo clinical trials to find their effectiveness and safety in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

The role of curcumin in the liver-gut system diseases: from mechanisms to clinical therapeutic perspective

Natural products have provided abundant sources of lead compounds for new drug discovery and development over the past centuries. Curcumin is a lipophilic polyphenol isolated from turmeric, a plant used in traditional Asian medicine for centuries. Despite the low oral bioavailability, curcumin exhibits profound medicinal value in various diseases, especially liver and gut diseases, bringing an interest in the paradox of its low bioavailability but high bioactivity. Several latest studies suggest that curcumin's health benefits may rely on its positive gastrointestinal effects rather than its poor bioavailability solely. Microbial antigens, metabolites, and bile acids regulate metabolism and immune responses in the intestine and liver, suggesting the possibility that the liver-gut axis bidirectional crosstalk controls gastrointestinal health and diseases. Accordingly, these pieces of evidence have evoked great interest in the curcumin-mediated crosstalk among liver-gut system diseases. The present study discussed the beneficial effects of curcumin against common liver and gut diseases and explored the underlying molecular targets, as well as collected evidence from human clinical studies. Moreover, this study summarized the roles of curcumin in complex metabolic interactions in liver and intestine diseases supporting the application of curcumin in the liver-gut system as a potential therapeutic option, which opens an avenue for clinical use in the future.

Dietary Effects of Nano Curcumin on Growth Performances, Body Composition, Blood Parameters and Histopathological Alternation in Red Tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) Challenged with Aspergillus flavus

This research examined the role of nano curcumin (NC) on growth performances, body composition, and blood parameters of red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) challenged with Aspergillus flavus. Fish (5.0 g ± 0.30) were randomly distributed in four equal groups (20 fish per pond in triplicates) and fed various concentrations of NC fortified with 0 (Control), 40 mg/kg (NC1), 50 mg/kg (NC2), and 60 mg/kg diet (NC3) of nano curcumin. After eight weeks of the feeding trial, the fish were challenged with A. flavus for 15 days, and the cumulative mortality was recorded. Fish fed with different concentrations of NC improved significantly (p < 0.05) the growth performances, feed utilization, and survival rate. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference between NC2 and NC3 treatments. However, NC3 exhibited higher performances. Fish feed supplemented with NC decreased the mortality rate when challenged with A. flavus. Hence, dietary supplementation of NC enhanced the growth and health status of Oreochromis sp. and protected it from A. flavus infection. This study suggests the optimum inclusion level of NC is a 50–60 mg/kg diet.

Therapeutic potential of curcumin in ARDS and COVID-19

Curcumin is a safe, non-toxic, readily available and naturally occurring compound, an active constituent of Curcuma longa (turmeric). Curcumin could potentially treat diseases, but faces poor physicochemical and pharmacological characteristics. To overcome these limitations, we developed a stable, water-soluble formulation of curcumin called cyclodextrin-complexed curcumin (CDC). We have previously shown that direct delivery of CDC to the lung following lipopolysaccharides exposure reduces acute lung injury (ALI) and effectively reduces lung injury, inflammation and mortality in mice following Klebsiella pneumoniae. Recently, we found that administration of CDC led to a significant reduction in angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 expression in gene and protein levels following pneumonia, indicating its potential in treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this review, we consider the clinical features of ALI and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and the role of curcumin in modulating the pathogenesis of bacterial/viral-induced ARDS and COVID-19.

Potential traditional Chinese medicines with anti-inflammation in the prevention of heart failure following myocardial infarction

Inflammation plays an important role in the development of heart failure (HF) after myocardial infarction (MI). Suppression of post-infarction inflammatory cascade has become a new strategy to delay or block the progression of HF. At present, there are no approved anti-inflammatory drugs used to prevent HF following MI. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used clinically for cardiovascular disease for a long time. Here, we summarized the recent progress about some TCM which could both improve cardiac function and inhibit inflammation in patients or experimental models with MI or HF, in order to provide evidence for their potential application in reducing the onset of HF following MI. Among them, single Chinese medicinal herbs (eg. Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza) and Chinese herbal formulas (eg. Gualou Xiebai Decoction and Sini Tang) are discussed separately. The main targets for their anti-inflammation effect are mainly involved the TLR4/NF-κB signaling, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 or TNF-α. It is worthy of further evaluating their potential, experimentally or clinically, in the prevention or delay of HF following MI.

Role of curcumin and its nanoformulations in the treatment of neurological diseases through the effects on stem cells

Curcumin from turmeric is a natural phenolic compound with a promising potential to regulate fundamental processes involved in neurological diseases, including inflammation, oxidative stress, protein aggregation, and apoptosis at the molecular level. In this regard, employing nanoformulation can improve curcumin efficiency by reducing its limitations, such as low bioavailability. Besides curcumin, growing data suggest that stem cells are a noteworthy candidate for neurodegenerative disorders therapy due to their anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and neuronal-differentiation properties, which result in neuroprotection. Curcumin and stem cells have similar neurogenic features and can be co-administered in a cell-drug delivery system to achieve better combination therapeutic outcomes for neurological diseases. Based on the evidence, curcumin can induce the neuroprotective activity of stem cells by modulating their related signalling pathways. The present review is about the role of curcumin and its nanoformulations in the improvement of neurological diseases alone and through the effect on different categories of stem cells by discussing the underlying mechanisms to provide a roadmap for future investigations.

Modulatory properties of curcumin in cancer: A narrative review on the role of interferons

The immune network is an effective network of cell types and chemical compounds established to maintain the body's homeostasis from foreign threats and to prevent the risk of a wide range of diseases; hence, its proper functioning and balance are essential. A dysfunctional immune system can contribute to various disorders, including cancer. Therefore, there has been considerable interest in molecules that can modulate the immune network. Curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric, is one of these herbal remedies with many beneficial effects, including modulation of immunity. Curcumin is beneficial in managing various chronic inflammatory conditions, improving brain function, lowering cardiovascular disease risk, prevention and management of dementia, and prevention of aging. Several clinical studies have supported this evidence, suggesting curcumin to have an immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory function; nevertheless, its mechanism of action is still not clear. In the current review, we aim to explore the modulatory function of curcumin through interferons in cancers.

Curcumin a Natural Phenol and Its Therapeutic Role in Cancer and Photodynamic Therapy: A Review

Cancer continues to cause an alarming number of deaths globally, and its burden on the health system is significant. Though different conventional therapeutic procedures are exploited for cancer treatment, the prevalence and death rates remain elevated. These, therefore, insinuate that novel and more efficient treatment procedures are needed for cancer. Curcumin, a bioactive, natural, phenolic compound isolated from the rhizome of the herbaceous plant turmeric, is receiving great interest for its exciting and broad pharmacological properties. Curcumin presents anticancer therapeutic capacities and can be utilized as a photosensitizing drug in cancer photodynamic therapy (PDT). Nonetheless, curcumin's poor bioavailability and related pharmacokinetics limit its clinical utility in cancer treatment. This review looks at the physical and chemical properties, bioavailability, and safety of curcumin, while focusing on curcumin as an agent in cancer therapy and as a photosensitizer in cancer PDT. The possible mechanisms and cellular targets of curcumin in cancer therapy and PDT are highlighted. Furthermore, recent improvements in curcumin's bioavailability in cancer therapy using nanoformulations and delivery systems are presented.

Efficacy of TurmiZn, a Metallic Complex of Curcuminoids-Tetrahydrocurcumin and Zinc on Bioavailability, Antioxidant, and Cytokine Modulation Capability

Complexes of curcumin with metals have shown much-improved stability, solubility, antioxidant capability, and efficacy when compared to curcumin. The present research investigates the relative bioavailability, antioxidant, and ability to inhibit inflammatory cytokine production of a curcuminoid metal chelation complex of tetrahydrocurcumin-zinc-curcuminoid termed TurmiZn. In vitro uptake assay using pig intestinal epithelial cells showed that TurmiZn has an ~3-fold increase (p ≤ 0.01) in uptake compared to curcumin and a ~2-fold increase (p ≤ 0.01) over tetrahydrocurcumin (THC). In a chicken model, an oral 1-g dose of TurmiZn showed a ~2.5-fold increase of a specific metabolite peak compared to curcumin (p = 0.004) and a ~3-fold increase compared to THC (p = 0.001). Oral doses (5 g/Kg) of TurmiZn in rats also showed the presence of curcumin and THC metabolites in plasma, indicating bioavailability across cell membranes in animals. Determination of the antioxidant activity by a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) radical scavenging assay indicated that TurmiZn was about 13x better (p ≤ 0.0001) than curcumin and about 4X better (p ≤ 0.0001) than THC, in reducing free radicals. In vitro experiments further showed significant (p ≤ 0.01) reductions of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL) IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, while showing a significant (p ≤ 0.01) increase of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in dog kidney cells. In vivo cytokine modulations were also observed when TurmiZn was fed for 6 weeks to newborn chickens. TurmiZn reduced IL-1 and IL-6, but significantly reduced (p ≤ 0.01) IL-10 levels while there was a concurrent significant (p = 0.02) increase in interferon gamma compared to controls. Overall, these results indicate that TurmiZn has better bioavailability and antioxidant capability than curcumin or THC and has the ability to significantly modulate cytokine levels. Thus, TurmiZn could be an excellent candidate for a novel ingredient that can be incorporated into food and supplements to help overall health during the aging process.

Are Aspects of Integrative Concepts Helpful to Improve Pancreatic Cancer Therapy?

Numerous clinical studies have been conducted to improve the outcomes of patients suffering from pancreatic cancer. Different approaches using targeted therapeutic strategies and precision medicine methods have been investigated, and synergies and further therapeutic advances may be achieved through combinations with integrative methods. For pancreatic tumors, a particular challenge is the presence of a microenvironment and a dense stroma, which is both a physical barrier to drug penetration and a complex entity being controlled by the immune system. Therefore, the state of immunological tolerance in the tumor microenvironment must be overcome, which is a considerable challenge. Integrative approaches, such as hyperthermia, percutaneous irreversible electroporation, intra-tumoral injections, phytotherapeutics, or vitamins, in combination with standard-oncological therapies, may potentially contribute to the control of pancreatic cancer. The combined application of standard-oncological and integrative methods is currently being studied in ongoing clinical trials. An actual overview is given here.

Local administration of curcumin-loaded nanoparticles enhances periodontal repair in vivo

The aim was to assess the influence of local application of curcumin-loaded nanoparticles on an experimental model of periodontal repair. Periodontitis was induced by ligatures on both lower first molars of rats. After 15 days, ligatures were removed ("treatment") and animals were randomly allocated to three experimental groups (n = 8/group): (i) 0.05 mg/ml curcumin-loaded nanoparticles, (ii) empty nanoparticles (vehicle control), and (iii) sterile saline (negative control). Experimental treatments were administered locally on days 0, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 after ligature removal. Animals were euthanized at 7 and 14 days. Bone repair was assessed by microcomputer tomography (µCT). Histological sections were stained with hematoxylin/eosin (H/E), Picrosirius Red, and Masson's trichrome. Expression of Runx-2 was studied by immunohistochemistry. Gene expression of Itgam, Arg1, and Inos was assessed by RT-qPCR. At 7 days, there was increased gene expression of Itgam and Arg1 and of the relative expression of Arg1/Inos in curcumin-treated animals, but no difference in any other outcomes. At 14 days, curcumin-loaded nanoparticles significantly increased bone repair and collagen content, as well as the number of osteocytes, percentage of extracellular matrix, and expression of Runx2. The results demonstrate that local administration of curcumin-loaded nanoparticles enhanced tissue repair in an experimental model of periodontal repair. Nanoparticle-encapsulated curcumin enhances early post-treatment repair of periodontal tissues.

Curcumin and cinnamon mitigates lead acetate-induced oxidative damage in the spleen of rats

Lead toxicity is a common occupational and environmental health hazard that exerts many toxic effects on animals and humans, including immunotoxicity. Curcumin (CUR) and cinnamon (CIN) are common medicinal herbs with immunostimulatory and antioxidant properties. Therefore, this study investigated the protective effect of curcumin and cinnamon against lead acetate (LA)-induced splenotoxicity in rats via hemato-biochemical, immunological, oxidative stress marker, CYP-2E1 expression, histological, and immunohistological evaluations. Four groups of seven rats each were used: the control group received corn oil as a vehicle; the lead acetate group received (100 mg/kg), the CUR + LA group received curcumin (400 mg/kg) plus lead acetate, and the CIN + LA group received cinnamon (200 mg/kg) plus lead acetate orally for 1 month. LA exposure induced macrocytic hypochromic anemia, leukocytosis, neutrophilia, monocytosis, and lymphopenia. Additionally, significant elevations in serum iron, ferritin levels, and transferrin saturation percentage with significant decline of total and unsaturated iron binding capacities (TIBC and UIBC), transferrin, and immunoglobulin G and M levels were recorded. In addition, lead acetate significantly upregulated splenic CYP-2E1 expression, that was evident by significant depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) activity and elevation of malondihyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and protein carbonyl (PC) concentrations in the spleen. Histologically, hyperplasia of lymphoid follicles, hemosiderin deposition, and disturbance of CD3 and CD68 immuno-expressions were evident in the spleen from the lead acetate group. However, curcumin and cinnamon administration restored the hemato-biochemical, immunological, and oxidative stress parameters as well as histological and immunohistological pictures toward normalcy. In conclusion, curcumin and cinnamon can partially ameliorate LA-induced oxidative damage in the spleen, possibly through their antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and gene-regulating activities.

Anti-inflammatory potential of turmeric, amla, and black pepper mixture against sepsis-induced acute lung injury in rats

Acute lung injury (ALI), is a severe inflammatory lung disease. We tested the prophylactic effect of a functional food mix comprising three anti-inflammatory plant products: turmeric, amla, and black pepper (TAB) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI in rats. Two-month-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: control (C), LPS (5 mg/kg), and LPS with TAB (TAB). After 6 h of LPS injection, the rats were sacrificed by cervical decapitation to collect the lung tissue. Results showed that TAB partially ameliorated LPS-induced increase in circulating inflammatory cytokines (TNFα and IL6) and significantly prevented lung histopathological changes. TAB also suppressed LPS-activated ER stress markers (GRP78, pIRE1, and CHOP) and apoptotic markers (caspase-3 and - 12) in the lung. The anti-inflammatory effects of the TAB support its potential use as an adjuvant to mitigate ALI. Importantly, TAB's ingredients have been used for centuries as part of the diet with limited or no toxic effects.

Curcumin mediated dendritic cell maturation by modulating cancer associated fibroblasts-derived exosomal miRNA-146a

BACKGROUND

Though cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), being a main component of tumor microenvironment (TME), are known to modulate immune response through secretion of various growth hormones, exosomes carrying miRNAs and cytokines; their effect on dendritic cells (DCs) are yet to be elucidated. Thus, aim of this study was to assess the effect of miRNAs and cytokines released by lung-CAFs and to evaluate immunomodulatory potential of curcumin on DC maturation through modulating their TME.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

To check the effect of CAFs derived exosomes on DC maturation, we cultured imDCs in the presence of CAFs derived conditioned media (CAFs-CM) and characterized by the presence of maturation markers CD80, CD83, CD86 and CTLA4 using qRT-PCR. Additionally, expression of miR-221, miR-222, miR-155, miR-142-3p and miR-146a was assessed to evaluate the role of epigenetic regulators on DC maturation. Likewise, cytokine profiling of CAFs-CM as well as CAFs-CM treated with curcumin was also conducted using ELISA.

RESULTS

Results revealed the generation of regulatory DCs which were characterized by decreased expression of maturation markers in the presence of CAFs-CM. In addition, such DCs showed higher expression of epigenetic regulator miR-146a which was positively correlated with increased expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6, IL-10, TGF-β and decreased expression of TNF-α (pro-inflammatory). Moreover, curcumin had the potential to convert regulatory DCs generated by CAFs into mDCs, which were characterized by high expression of co-stimulatory molecules, low expression of CTLA4, lower levels of immune suppressive cytokines production and lower levels of miR-146a.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, these findings provide insight into understanding the immunomodulatory role of curcumin in targeting CAFs and modulating TME, thus enhancing antitumor immune response in DC based therapy.

Antitumor Therapy Targeting the Tumor Microenvironment

The development and progression of tumors in human tissues extensively rely on its surrounding environment, that is, tumor microenvironment which includes a variety of cells, molecules, and blood vessels. These components are modified, organized, and integrated to support and facilitate the growth, invasion, and metabolism of tumor cells, suggesting them as potential therapeutic targets in anticancer treatment. An increasing number of pharmacological agents have been developed and clinically applied to target the oncogenic components in the tumor microenvironment, and in this review, we will summarize these pharmacological agents that directly or indirectly target the cellular or molecular components in the tumor microenvironment. However, difficulties and challenges still exist in this field, which will also be reported in this literature.

Ex vivo explant model of adenoma and colorectal cancer to explore mechanisms of action and patient response to cancer prevention therapies

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in the UK. Novel therapeutic prevention strategies to inhibit the development and progression of CRC would be invaluable. Potential contenders include low toxicity agents such as dietary-derived agents or repurposed drugs. However, in vitro and in vivo models used in drug development often do not take into account the heterogeneity of tumours or the tumour microenvironment. This limits translation to a clinical setting. Our objectives were to develop an ex vivo method utilizing CRC and adenoma patient-derived explants (PDEs) which facilitates screening of drugs, assessment of toxicity, and efficacy. Our aims were to use a multiplexed immunofluorescence approach to demonstrate the viability of colorectal tissue PDEs, and the ability to assess immune cell composition and interactions. Using clinically achievable concentrations of curcumin, we show a correlation between curcumin-induced tumour and stromal apoptosis (P < .001) in adenomas and cancers; higher stromal content is associated with poorer outcomes. B cell (CD20+ve) and T cell (CD3+ve) density of immune cells within tumour regions in control samples correlated with curcumin-induced tumour apoptosis (P < .001 and P < .05, respectively), suggesting curcumin-induced apoptosis is potentially predicted by baseline measures of immune cells. A decrease in distance between T cells (CD3+ve) and cytokeratin+ve cells was observed, indicating movement of T cells (CD3+ve) towards the tumour margin (P < .001); this change is consistent with an immune environment associated with improved outcomes. Concurrently, an increase in distance between T cells (CD3+ve) and B cells (CD20+ve) was detected following curcumin treatment (P < .001), which may result in a less immunosuppressive tumour milieu. The colorectal tissue PDE model offers significant potential for simultaneously assessing multiple biomarkers in response to drug exposure allowing a greater understanding of mechanisms of action and efficacy in relevant target tissues, that maintain both their structural integrity and immune cell compartments.

The Credible Role of Curcumin in Oxidative Stress-Mediated Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Mammals

Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are associated with the pathogenesis of several human diseases. The excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and/or lack of adequate antioxidant defenses causes DNA mutations in mitochondria, damages the mitochondrial respiratory chain, and alters membrane permeability and mitochondrial defense mechanisms. All these alterations are linked to the development of numerous diseases. Curcumin, an active ingredient of turmeric plant rhizomes, exhibits numerous biological activities (i.e., antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial). In recent years, many researchers have shown evidence that curcumin has the ability to reduce the oxidative stress- and mitochondrial dysfunction-associated diseases. In this review, we discuss curcumin’s antioxidant mechanism and significance in oxidative stress reduction and suppression of mitochondrial dysfunction in mammals. We also discuss the research gaps and give our opinion on how curcumin research in mammals should proceed moving forward.

Curcumin in the treatment of urological cancers: Therapeutic targets, challenges and prospects

Urological cancers include bladder, prostate and renal cancers that can cause death in males and females. Patients with urological cancers are mainly diagnosed at an advanced disease stage when they also develop resistance to therapy or poor response. The use of natural products in the treatment of urological cancers has shown a significant increase. Curcumin has been widely used in cancer treatment due to its ability to trigger cell death and suppress metastasis. The beneficial effects of curcumin in the treatment of urological cancers is the focus of current review. Curcumin can induce apoptosis in the three types of urological cancers limiting their proliferative potential. Furthermore, curcumin can suppress invasion of urological cancers through EMT inhibition. Notably, curcumin decreases the expression of MMPs, therefore interfering with urological cancer metastasis. When used in combination with chemotherapy agents, curcumin displays synergistic effects in suppressing cancer progression. It can also be used as a chemosensitizer. Based on pre-clinical studies, curcumin administration is beneficial in the treatment of urological cancers and future clinical applications might be considered upon solving problems related to the poor bioavailability of the compound. To improve the bioavailability of curcumin and increase its therapeutic index in urological cancer suppression, nanostructures have been developed to favor targeted delivery.

Neurohormetic phytochemicals in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases

The world population is progressively ageing, assuming an enormous social and health challenge. As the world ages, neurodegenerative diseases are on the rise. Regarding the progressive nature of these diseases, none of the neurodegenerative diseases are curable at date, and the existing treatments can only help relieve the symptoms or slow the progression. Recently, hormesis has increased attention in the treatment of age-related neurodegenerative diseases. The concept of hormesis refers to a biphasic dose-response phenomenon, where low levels of the drug or stress exert protective of beneficial effects and high doses deleterious or toxic effects. Neurohormesis, as the adaptive aspect of hormetic dose responses in neurons, has been shown to slow the onset of neurodegenerative diseases and reduce the damages caused by aging, stroke, and traumatic brain injury. Hormesis was also observed to modulate anxiety, stress, pain, and the severity of seizure. Thus, neurohormesis can be considered as a potentially innovative approach in the treatment of neurodegenerative and other neurologic disorders. Herbal medicinal products and supplements are often considered health resources with many applications. The hormesis phenomenon in medicinal plants is valuable and several studies have shown that hormetic mechanisms of bioactive compounds can prevent or ameliorate the neurodegenerative pathogenesis in animal models of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Moreover, the hormesis activity of phytochemicals has been evaluated in other neurological disorders such as Autism and Huntington’s disease. In this review, the neurohormetic dose–response concept and the possible underlying neuroprotection mechanisms are discussed. Different neurohormetic phytochemicals used for the better management of neurodegenerative diseases, the rationale for using them, and the key findings of their studies are also reviewed.

Potential Therapeutic Applications of Natural Compounds in Diabetes-Associated Periodontitis

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major worldwide health burden. DM is a metabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, and if left untreated, can lead to various complications. Individuals with uncontrolled DM are more susceptible to periodontitis due to both a hyper-inflammatory host response and an impaired immune response. Periodontitis, on the other hand, may exacerbate DM by increasing both local and systemic inflammatory components of DM-related complications. The current standard for periodontal treatment in diabetes-associated periodontitis (DP) focuses mostly on reducing bacterial load and less on controlling the excessive host response, and hence, may not be able to resolve DP completely. Over the past decade, natural compounds have emerged as an adjunct approach for modulating the host immune response with the hope of curing DP. The anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic characteristics of natural substances are well-known, and they can be found in regularly consumed foods and drinks, as well as plants. The pathophysiology of DP and the treatment benefits of various bioactive extracts for DP will be covered in this review.

Dietary Parsley Seed Mitigates Methomyl-Induced Impaired Growth Performance, Hemato-Immune Suppression, Oxidative Stress, Hepato-Renal Damage, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Susceptibility in Oreochromis niloticus

The present experiment investigated the potential protective role of parsley (Petroselinum crispum) seed meal (PSM) in alleviating methomyl (MET)-adverse impacts on growth, whole-body composition, hematological indicators, hepatorenal function, immune response, oxidative status, and disease resistance to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. For this purpose, 225 healthy Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were allotted into five groups (45 fish/group in triplicate). One group was reared in clean water and fed a non-supplemented basal diet, while the other groups were exposed to 20.39 μg L^-1 MET and fed a non-fortified basal diet or basal diets supplemented with 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0% of PSM for 60 days. The obtained data revealed significantly lower weight gain, feed intake, and specific growth rate, but higher feed conversion ratio and decreases in crude protein, lipid, and ash contents in the MET-exposed fish. Anemia, leukopenia, lymphocytopenia, and esonipenia were also obvious. Furthermore, MET-exposed fish had significantly higher serum levels of hepatic enzymes and renal damage products. Nevertheless, there was a significant depletion of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants and increased malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in MET-exposed fish. The MET exposure significantly depressed lysozyme activity, nitric oxide, complement3, acetylcholinesterase activity, total proteins, globulin, and albumin levels in O. niloticus serum. Furthermore, pathological alterations in the liver and kidney were noted. The relative percentage of survival rate in MET-exposed fish was dramatically reduced on day 14 post-challenge with P. aeruginosa. The inclusion of PSM, on the other hand, greatly alleviated most of the MET-related negative effects. Taken together, the dietary intervention with PSM has a promising role in alleviating MET-deleterious impacts, rendering parsley seeds a viable aqua feed additive for O. niloticus.

Curcumin-based nanotechnology approaches and therapeutics in restoration of autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases usually arise as a result of an aberrant immune system attack on normal tissues of the body, which leads to a cascade of inflammatory reactions. The immune system employs different types of protective and anti-inflammatory cells for the regulation of this process. Curcumin is a known natural anti-inflammatory agent that inhibits pathological autoimmune processes by regulating inflammatory cytokines and their associated signaling pathways in immune cells. Due to the unstable nature of curcumin and its susceptibility to either degradation, or metabolism into other chemical entities (i.e., metabolites), encapsulation of this agent into various nanocarriers would appear to be an appropriate strategy for attaining greater beneficial effects from curcumin as it pertains to immunomodulation. Many studies have focused on the design and development of curcumin nanodelivery systems (micelles, dendrimers, and diverse nanocarriers) and are summarized in this review in order to obtain greater insight into novel drug delivery systems for curcumin and their suitability for the management of autoimmune diseases.

Dietary curcumin nanoparticles promoted the performance, antioxidant activity, and humoral immunity, and modulated the hepatic and intestinal histology of Nile tilapia fingerlings

The current study investigated the effects of dietary curcumin nanoparticles (C-NPs) on the performance, hemato-biochemical profile, digestive enzymes activities, antioxidant status, humoral immunity, and liver and intestinal histology of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Fish (4.3 ± 0.5 g) were fed with diets enriched with 0.0 (control), 15, 30, 45, and 60 mg C-NPs/kg diet up to apparent satiety thrice a day for 60 days. The growth-stimulating effects of dietary C-NPs were significantly observed in terms of final weight, weight gain %, specific growth rate, and feed intake. Compared with the control group, serum amylase, lipase, and proteases activities of Nile tilapia significantly (P < 0.05) increased alongside the increase in dietary levels of C-NPs in a dose-dependent manner. The counts of red blood cells and white blood cells as well as hemoglobin and hematocrit levels of Nile tilapia fed with 30-60 mg C-NPs/kg diet were statistically (P < 0.05) higher than fish in the control group with no significant differences among them (P > 0.05). Moreover, lymphocytes and monocytes significantly (P > 0.05) increased; meanwhile neutrophils significantly (P > 0.05) decreased as C-NPs levels in diets increased. In a similar trend, antioxidant (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and humoral immunity (lysozyme and total immunoglobulin) biomarkers were significantly higher in C-NPs-fed fish. Liver histology showed improvements in the cell architecture of fish fed with C-NPs containing diets up to 45 mg/kg diet. Compared with the control diet, feeding Nile tilapia with C-NPs diets resulted in a higher villi length/width and absorption area. According to the regression curves, the current study recommends using the dietary C-NP with optimum values of 45-55 mg/kg diet to improve the performance, digestive enzymes, antioxidant activities, and immunity response of Nile tilapia.

A Review on the Potential Species of the Zingiberaceae Family with Anti-viral Efficacy Towards Enveloped Viruses

Natural products are a great wellspring of biodiversity for finding novel antivirals, exposing new interactions between structure and operation and creating successful defensive or remedial methodologies against viral diseases. The members of Zingiberaceae traditional plant and herbal products have robust anti-viral action, and their findings will further lead to the production of derivatives and therapeutic. Additionally, it highlights the insight of utilizing these phytoextracts or their constituent compounds as an emergency prophylactic medicine during the pandemic or endemic situations for novel viruses. In this connection, this review investigates the potential candidates of the Zingiberaceae family, consisting of bioactive phytocompounds with proven antiviral efficacy against enveloped viruses. The present study was based on published antiviral efficacy of Curcuma longa, Zingiber officinale, Kaempferia parviflora, Aframomum melegueta Elettaria cardamomum, Alpina Sps (belongs to the Zingiberaceae family) towards the enveloped viruses. The relevant data was searched in Scopus”, “Scifinder”, “Springer”, “Pubmed”, “Google scholar” “Wiley”, “Web of Science”, “Cochrane “Library”, “Embase”, Dissertations, theses, books, and technical reports. Meticulously articles were screened with the subject relevancy and categorized for their ethnopharmacological significance with in-depth analysis. We have comprehensively elucidated the antiviral potency of phytoextracts, major composition, key compounds, mode of action, molecular evidence, immunological relevance, and potential bioactive phytocompounds of these five species belonging to the Zingiberaceae family. Conveniently, these phytoextracts exhibited multimode activity in combating the dreadful enveloped viruses.

The Effect of Nano-chitosan and Nano-curcumin on Radiated Parotid Glands of Albino Rats: Comparative Study

Decreasing the salivary flow rate manifested by xerostomia occurs early during the irradiation treatment. The duration of depressed salivary function varies among patients. Various histopathological changes occur in the salivary glands. The current study was performed to investigate and compare between the possible anti-radiotherapeutic effect of the gamma rays-synthesized curcumin nanoparticles (Cur NPs), and chitosan nanoparticles (Cs NPs). They were utilized to overcome the histopathological changes associated with radiation therapy in albino rats’ parotid glands. Sixty adult male Albino rats were utilized, fifteen as control group, fifteen as radiated group and thirty as Cur NPs and Cs NPs treatment groups. The parotid glands were dissected and examined histologically, immunohistochemically for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as well as histo-morphometrically. The histological results proved the antiradio-therapeutic effect of Cur NPs, and Cs NPs, with the least degenerative changes in the Cur NPs treated group. A high significant increase in VEGF was recorded in the radiated group as compared to the other treated groups. Cs NPs have proved to be an anti-radiotherapeutic and anti-oxidant substrate in treating the histopathological changes in radiated parotid glands of albino rats. However, it was lagging behind Cur NPs in all analyses but non-significant differences between them have been recorded.

Graphical Abstract

A systematic review of nonclinical studies on the effect of curcumin in chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity

BACKGROUND

Various anticancer drugs are effective therapeutic agents for cancer treatment; however, they cause severe toxicity in body organs. Cardiotoxicity is one of the most critical side effects of these drugs. Based on various findings, turmeric extract has positive effects on cardiac cells.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate how curcumin as the main component of turmeric may affect chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity.

METHOD

Database search was performed up to April 2021 using "curcumin OR turmeric OR Curcuma longa" and "chemotherapy-induced cardiac disease," including all their equivalents and similar terms. After screening the total articles obtained from the electronic databases, 25 relevant articles were included in this systematic review.

RESULTS

The studies demonstrate lower body weight and increased mortality rates due to doxorubicin administration. Besides, cancer therapeutic agents induced various morphological and biochemical abnormalities compared to the non-treated groups. Based on most of the obtained results, curcumin at nontoxic doses can protect the cardiac cells mainly through modulating antioxidant capacity, regulation of cell death, and anti-inflammatory effects. Nevertheless, according to a minority of findings, curcumin increases the susceptibility of the rat cardiomyoblast cell line (H9C2) to apoptosis triggered by doxorubicin.

CONCLUSION

According to most nonclinical studies, curcumin can have the potential of cardioprotective effects against cardiotoxicity induced by chemotherapy. However, based on limited, contradictory findings demonstrating the function of curcumin in potentiating doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, well-designed studies are needed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of treatment with new formulations of this compound during cancer therapy.

Role of Curcumin as a Potential Immunomodulator to Adjunct Tuberculosis Treatment in Indonesia

This study aimed to highlight and focus on curcumin’s role in enhancing the body defense mechanism against tuberculosis (TB) infection, using a narrative review. This review was identified by four search engines: PubMed, Science Direct, Research Gate, and Google Scholar. We found that as an immunomodulator, curcumin reduces the production of specific cytokines by inhibiting the transcription factor. In the same mechanism, curcumin also activates the host macrophages, dendritic maturation, and modulation of the antigen-presenting cell process. Curcumin also increases apoptosis as a defence mechanism against TB infection. Curcumin also increases B-cell proliferation and downregulates oxidative stress on B-cells. As results, curcumin is a potential immunomodulator that complements M. TB treatment, especially in Indonesia. It can be stated that curcumin is proven to be a promising strategy in complementing TB prevention also treatment.

Antioxidant Phytochemicals for the Prevention of Fluoride-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis: a Review

Fluorosis is a major public health problem globally. The non-availability of specific treatment and the irreversible nature of dental and skeletal lesions poses a challenge in the management of fluorosis. Oxidative stress is known to be one of the most important mechanisms of fluoride toxicity. Fluoride promotes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species by inhibiting the activity of antioxidant enzymes, resulting in the excessive production of reactive oxygen species at the cellular level which further leads to activation of cell death processes such as apoptosis. Phytochemicals that act as antioxidants have the potential to protect cells from oxidative stress. Evidence confirms that clinical symptoms of fluorosis can be mitigated to some extent or prevented by long-term intake of antioxidants and plant products. The primary purpose of this review is to examine recent findings that focus on the amelioration of fluoride-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis by natural and synthetic phytochemicals and their molecular mechanisms of action.

Proof-of-Concept Preclinical Use of Drosophila melanogaster in the Initial Screening of Immunomodulators

Drug discovery is a complex process, and the use of a comprehensive approach is deemed necessary to discover new chemical entities with novel mechanisms of action. This research was carried out to determine whether Drosophila melanogaster can serve as an appropriate model organism in the initial screening of drug candidates with immunomodulatory activities. To test this, we performed phenotypic assay and molecular analysis to investigate the immunomodulatory activities of aspirin, dexamethasone, curcumin, and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), that have been reported to yield such effects in the mammalian model system. In vivo survival analysis demonstrated that all drugs/compounds were relatively safe at the tested concentrations. In the infection assay, curcumin and EGCG showed a protective signature to bacterial infection in flies lacking Toll-mediated immune responses. Furthermore, dexamethasone and aspirin, drugs with immunosuppressive activity, could improve the survival of PGRP-LBΔ mutant flies with hyperactivated immune system. These phenotypes were supported by RT-qPCR-based molecular analysis, revealing that drugs/compounds used in this study could modulate the expression level of genes related to the immune system. In conclusion, while curcumin and EGCG could promote the improvement of fly survival against infection, aspirin and dexamethasone were able to suppress overactivation of immune responses in D. melanogaster. These results are in line with the ones observed in the mammalian model system, further emphasizing the notion that flies would serve as a prospective model organism in the initial screening of drug candidates for their immunomodulatory activities prior to further checking in the mammalian animal models. In the end, this will reduce the use of mammalian animal models for preliminary experiments in an effort to discover/repurpose drugs with immunomodulatory activity.

Curcumin activates the Nrf2 Pathway to alleviate AFB1-induced immunosuppression in the spleen of ducklings

Ducklings is one of the most susceptible poultry to Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) which widely existed in duckling products will also in turn affect human health. Curcumin (CUR) has significant effects on immune regulation and anti-oxidation. But whether CUR alleviates toxic effects on duckling spleen induced by AFB1 remains largely unknown. In this study we treated duckings with AFB1 and CUR for 21 days before harvesting serum and spleen tissue for analyses. The results showed that AFB1 damaged the spleen tissue of ducklings by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway. And the addition of CUR not only promoted the growth of ducklings, but also enhanced the immune function of the spleen and reduced the damage of AFB1 to the spleen tissue. At the same time, CUR activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway, upregulated the expression of related antioxidant enzymes, inhibited the NF-kB signaling pathway, and ultimately reducing the inflammation of the duckling spleen induced by AFB1. It has been suggested from these results that Nrf2 pathway might be a potential therapeutic target for CUR to treat AFB1-induced immunosuppression in ducklings.

Novel combination of bioactive agents in bilayered dermal patches provides superior wound healing

In present study, multifunctional bilayered dermal patches with antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties were developed using solvent casting or electrospinning methods and compared for performance. Top layer was made up of polycaprolactone (PCL) and chitosan (CS) while bottom layer was made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with curcumin nanoparticles and soluble eggshell membrane protein (SESM) as the wound healing agents. Curcumin nanoparticles showed reduction in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory cytokines and markers in mice T cells or human macrophages, confirming their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties while SESM improved migration of human adult dermal fibroblasts, suggesting its contribution to wound healing. The dermal patches were hemocompatible and antibacterial and also provided adequate absorption of wound exudates, support and components required for recruitment of cells and deposition of extracellular matrix to enable superior wound healing than its commercial counterpart in a full thickness excision wound model in rats.

Effects of nanocurcumin supplementation on T-helper 17 cells inflammatory response in patients with Behcet's disease: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

Present research was performed to assess the effects of nanocurcumin supplementation on T-helper 17 (Th17) cells inflammatory response in patients with Behcet's disease (BD).

METHODS

In this randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 36 BD subjects were randomly placed into two groups to take 80 mg/day nanocurcumin or placebo for eight weeks. Disease activity, frequency of Th17 cells and expression of related parameters including retinoic acid-related orphan receptor γ (RORγt) transcription factor messenger RNA (mRNA), related microRNAs (miRNAs) such as miRNA-155, miRNA-181, and miRNA-326 as well as proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-23 were evaluated.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients (17 in the nanocurcumin and 15 in the placebo groups) completed the trial. Number of Th17 cells decreased significantly in the nanocurcumin group compared to baseline (p = .012) and placebo (p = .047). Moreover, RORγt, IL-17, IL-23, miRNA-155, miRNA-181, and miRNA-326 mRNA expression decreased significantly in the nanocurcumin group compared with baseline (p = .004, p = .009, p < .001, p < .001, p < .001, p < .001, respectively) and placebo (p = .002, p = .021, p = .006, p = .035, p < .001, p = .017, respectively). Significant reductions in IL-17 and IL-23 were seen in nanocurcumin group compared with baseline (p = .017 and p = .015) and placebo (p = .047 and p = .048, respectively). Significant reduction in disease activity was observed in nanocurcumin group compared with placebo group (p = .035).

CONCLUSION

Nanocurcumin supplementation had favorable effects in improving inflammatory factors and disease activity in BD patients. Additional studies are warranted to suggest nanocurcumin as a safe complementary therapy in BD.HighlightsNanocurcumin supplementation decreased Th17 cells frequency significantly compared with baseline and placebo group.Nanocurcumin supplementation decreased mRNA expression of RORγt, IL-17, IL-23, miRNA-155, miRNA-181, and miRNA-326 significantly compared to baseline and placebo group.Nanocurcumin supplementation decreased cell supernatant IL-17 and IL-23 significantly compared to baseline and placebo group.Nanocurcumin supplementation decreased disease activity significantly compared to placebo group.

Prospects of Curcumin Nanoformulations in Cancer Management

There is increasing interest in the use of natural compounds with beneficial pharmacological effects for managing diseases. Curcumin (CUR) is a phytochemical that is reportedly effective against some cancers through its ability to regulate signaling pathways and protein expression in cancer development and progression. Unfortunately, its use is limited due to its hydrophobicity, low bioavailability, chemical instability, photodegradation, and fast metabolism. Nanoparticles (NPs) are drug delivery systems that can increase the bioavailability of hydrophobic drugs and improve drug targeting to cancer cells via different mechanisms and formulation techniques. In this review, we have discussed various CUR-NPs that have been evaluated for their potential use in treating cancers. Formulations reviewed include lipid, gold, zinc oxide, magnetic, polymeric, and silica NPs, as well as micelles, dendrimers, nanogels, cyclodextrin complexes, and liposomes, with an emphasis on their formulation and characteristics. CUR incorporation into the NPs enhanced its pharmaceutical and therapeutic significance with respect to solubility, absorption, bioavailability, stability, plasma half-life, targeted delivery, and anticancer effect. Our review shows that several CUR-NPs have promising anticancer activity; however, clinical reports on them are limited. We believe that clinical trials must be conducted on CUR-NPs to ensure their effective translation into clinical applications.