An investigation of the effects of curcumin on anxiety and depression in obese individuals: A randomized controlled trial

Effect of curcumin supplementation on symptoms of anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Curcumin is a polyphenolic natural compound that has been used to treat various ailments such as symptoms of anxiety. However, the findings of studies regarding the anti-anxiety properties of curcumin are controversial. This review aims to evaluate if there are clinical benefits of curcumin in patients with symptoms of anxiety.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were retrieved to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the database inception to August 16, 2023. The random-effects model was used to estimate the standard mean difference (SMD).

RESULTS

A total of eight RCTs involving 567 participants were included in the analysis. A pooled analysis showed a significant effect of curcumin on anxiety symptoms (SMD: -1.56; 95% CI: -2.48, -0.64, p < 0.001; I2 = 95.6%, p-heterogeneity< 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Present meta-analysis demonstrated that curcumin intake might contribute to alleviation of anxiety disorder. Due to the limited number of studies included, it is necessary to conduct more high-quality studies to confirm the clinical efficacy of curcumin.

Curcumin Reduces Depression in Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Type 2 diabetes and depression co-occur in a bidirectional manner. Curcumin supplements exhibit antidepressant effects that may mitigate depression by modulating neurotransmitters and reducing inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of curcumin in improving depression severity in obese type 2 diabetes patients. The study employed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial design with 227 participants. The primary end-point was depression severity assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Biomarkers were measured at baseline and at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month intervals. The biomarkers assessed were serotonin levels, pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha), antioxidant activities (total antioxidant status, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase), and malondialdehyde. After 12 months, the curcumin group exhibited significantly improved depression severity (p = 0.000001). The curcumin group had higher levels of serotonin (p < 0.0001) but lower levels of interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (p < 0.001 for all) than the placebo group. Total antioxidant status, glutathione peroxidase activity, and superoxide dismutase activity were elevated in the curcumin group, whereas malondialdehyde levels were greater in the placebo group (p < 0.001 for all). These findings suggest curcumin may have antidepressant effects on obese type 2 diabetes patients.

Curcumin and nano-curcumin applications in psychiatric disorders

Psychiatric disorders cause long-lasting disabilities across different age groups. While various medications are available for mental disorders, some patients do not fully benefit from them or experience treatment resistance. The pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders involves multiple mechanisms, including an increase in the inflammatory response. Targeting inflammatory mechanisms has shown promise as a therapeutic approach for these disorders. Curcumin, known for its anti-inflammatory properties and potential neuroprotective effects, has been the subject of studies investigating its potential as a treatment option for psychiatric disorders. This review comprehensively examines the potential therapeutic role of curcumin and its nanoformulations in psychiatric conditions, including major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. There is lack of robust clinical trials across all the studied psychiatric disorders, particularly bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. More studies have focused on MDD. Studies on depression indicate that curcumin may be effective as an antidepressant agent, either alone or as an adjunct therapy. However, inconsistencies exist among study findings, highlighting the need for further research with improved blinding, optimized dosages, and treatment durations. Limited evidence supports the use of curcumin for bipolar disorder, making its therapeutic application challenging. Well-designed clinical trials are warranted to explore its potential therapeutic benefits. Exploring various formulations and delivery strategies, such as utilizing liposomes and nanoparticles, presents intriguing avenues for future research. More extensive clinical trials are needed to assess the efficacy of curcumin as a standalone or adjunctive treatment for psychiatric disorders, focusing on optimal dosages, formulations, and treatment durations.

Is Curcumin Intake Really Effective for Chronic Inflammatory Metabolic Disease? A Review of Meta-Analyses of Randomized Controlled Trials

This review aimed to examine the effects of curcumin on chronic inflammatory metabolic disease by extensively evaluating meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We performed a literature search of meta-analyses of RCTs published in English in PubMed®/MEDLINE up to 31 July 2023. We identified 54 meta-analyses of curcumin RCTs for inflammation, antioxidant, glucose control, lipids, anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, endothelial function, depression, and cognitive function. A reduction in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels was observed in seven of ten meta-analyses of RCTs. In five of eight meta-analyses, curcumin intake significantly lowered interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels. In six of nine meta-analyses, curcumin intake significantly lowered tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels. In five of six meta-analyses, curcumin intake significantly lowered malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. In 14 of 15 meta-analyses, curcumin intake significantly reduced fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels. In 12 of 12 meta-analyses, curcumin intake significantly reduced homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). In seven of eight meta-analyses, curcumin intake significantly reduced glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels. In eight of ten meta-analyses, curcumin intake significantly reduced insulin levels. In 14 of 19 meta-analyses, curcumin intake significantly reduced total cholesterol (TC) levels. Curcumin intake plays a protective effect on chronic inflammatory metabolic disease, possibly via improved levels of glucose homeostasis, MDA, TC, and inflammation (CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, and adiponectin). The safety and efficacy of curcumin as a natural product support the potential for the prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory metabolic diseases.

Potential of Natural Phenolic Compounds against Doxorubicin-Induced Chemobrain: Biological and Molecular Mechanisms Involved

Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment or "chemobrain" is a prevalent long-term complication of chemotherapy and one of the more devastating. Most of the studies performed so far to identify the cognitive dysfunctions induced by antineoplastic chemotherapies have been focused on treatment with anthracyclines, frequently administered to breast cancer patients, a population that, after treatment, shows a high possibility of long survival and, consequently, of chemobrain development. In the last few years, different possible strategies have been explored to prevent or reduce chemobrain induced by the anthracycline doxorubicin (DOX), known to promote oxidative stress and inflammation, which have been strongly implicated in the development of this brain dysfunction. Here, we have critically analyzed the results of the preclinical studies from the last few years that have evaluated the potential of phenolic compounds (PheCs), a large class of natural products able to exert powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, in inhibiting DOX-induced chemobrain. Several PheCs belonging to different classes have been shown to be able to revert DOX-induced brain morphological damages and deficits associated with learning, memory, and exploratory behavior. We have analyzed the biological and molecular mechanisms implicated and suggested possible future perspectives in this research area.

Curcumin as a Multifunctional Spice Ingredient against Mental Disorders in Humans: Current Clinical Studies and Bioavailability Concerns

BACKGROUND

Mental disorders in terms of depression, anxiety, and stress are one of the major causes of burden globally. Over the last two decades, the use of plant-based substances in the treatment of mental disorders in combination or not with medication has increasingly attracted the interest of the scientific research community. However, even if there is a plethora of naturally occurring bioactive compounds, most of them have low bioavailability, rendering them unable to insert into the bloodstream to exert their biological activities.

METHODS

This is a comprehensive narrative review that critically summarizes and scrutinizes the new approaches to the treatment of mental disorders using curcumin, also highlighting its bioavailability properties. The most accurate were searched using effective and relevant keywords.

RESULTS

This narrative review reveals substantial evidence that curcumin can exert significant effects on several mental disorders. However, despite the low cost, the extensive and confirmed potency of curcumin and its involvement in signaling pathways and the scientifically confirmed data regarding its molecular mechanisms of action against mental disorders, this naturally occurring compound presents low oral bioavailability. Pharmaceutical technology has provided solutions to increase the bioavailability of curcumin. Combination with piperine, galactomannosides, liposomal formulation or nanoformulation overcomes the bioavailability and solubility disadvantages.

CONCLUSIONS

Although curcumin demonstrates anti-anxiety, anti-depressive and anti-stress properties, studies on humans are limited and heterogeneous. Further research is highly recommended to determine the most functional formula, dose, duration, and possible side effects of curcumin on mental disorders in humans. Based on the current knowledge, the curcumin nanoformulation and Theracurmin, a form of colloidal submicroscopic particles, seem to be the most effective bioavailable formulations, which may be examined in future clinical human studies.

The Role of Dietary Ingredients in Mental Energy - A Scoping Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Low mental energy can contribute to decreased productivity, altered life balance, decreased physical performance, and ultimately affect quality of life. As such, there is a great demand for food and beverage products that positively impact mental energy. Numerous products claim to alter mental energy making continued review of the scientific evidence critical. The objective of this study was to conduct a scoping review of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the effect of 18 dietary ingredients on mental energy outcomes in adults without severe disease. Methods: A literature search, completed using PubMed, resulted in the identification of 2261 articles, 190 of which met eligibility from initial abstract review. Full-text review was completed on the 190 studies which resulted in 101 articles that fully met eligibility for inclusion in this study. The search strategy for two ingredients did not yield any eligible studies, leaving studies for 16 ingredients that were extracted and summarized by reported significantly improved outcomes for cognition, mood and perceived feelings, and sleep assessments. The preliminary results for several dietary ingredients directionally suggested a mental energy benefit (≥20% of outcomes), including ashwagandha, chamomile, dark chocolate, ginseng, green tea, lavender, lion's mane mushroom, maca, tart cherries, turmeric, and valerian root. The results of this scoping review suggest that of the 16 dietary ingredients reviewed, 11 may be promising for further exploration on their potential benefits in supporting mental energy. Given consumer demand and market growth for food and beverage products that positively impact mental energy; continued efforts in assessment method alignment and additional evaluation in well-designed trials is warranted.KEY TEACHING POINTSOf the 16 dietary ingredients reviewed, 11 (ashwagandha, chamomile, dark chocolate, ginseng, green tea, lavender, lion's mane mushroom, maca, melatonin foods, turmeric, and valerian root) may be promising for further exploration on their potential mental energy benefits.Dark chocolate, ginseng, ashwagandha, and lion's mane mushroom were the most promising ingredients for further evaluation in the cognition domain of the ingredients evaluated.Turmeric, maca, lavendar, and ashwagandha were the most promising ingredients for further evaluation in the mood and perceived feelings domain of the ingredients evaluated.Ashwagandha, chamomile, green tea, melatonin foods, valerian root were the most promising ingredients for further evaluation in the sleep domain of the ingredients evaluated.Additional, well-designed, consistent, clinical trials and systematic reviews are warranted as the challenge of heterogeneity in mental energy study design remains.

Targeted therapies of curcumin focus on its therapeutic benefits in cancers and human health: Molecular signaling pathway-based approaches and future perspectives

The curry powder spices turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), which contains curcumin (diferuloylmethane), an orange-yellow chemical. Polyphenols are the most commonly used sources of curcumin. It combats oxidative stress and inflammation in diseases, such as hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, and depression. Most of these benefits are due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Curcumin consumption leads to decreased bioavailability, resulting in limited absorption, quick metabolism, and quick excretion, which hinders health improvement. Numerous factors can increase its bioavailability. Piperine enhances bioavailability when combined with curcumin in a complex. When combined with other enhancing agents, curcumin has a wide spectrum of health benefits. This review evaluates the therapeutic potential of curcumin with a specific emphasis on its approach based on molecular signaling pathways. This study investigated its influence on the progression of cancer, inflammation, and many health-related mechanisms, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. Curcumin has a significant potential for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Curcumin modulates several biochemical pathways and targets involved in cancer growth. Despite its limited tissue accumulation and bioavailability when administered orally, curcumin has proven useful. This review provides an in-depth analysis of curcumin's therapeutic applications, its molecular signaling pathway-based approach, and its potential for precision medicine in cancer and human health.

Curcumin analog WZ26 induces ROS and cell death via inhibition of STAT3 in cholangiocarcinoma

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive biliary epithelial tumor with limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis. Curcumin is a promising active natural compound with several anti-cancer properties, though its clinical uses remain hindered due to its poor bioavailability. We recently synthesized curcumin analogs with multifunctional pharmacological and bioactivities with enhanced bioavailability. Among these novel curcumin analogs, WZ26 is a representative molecule. However, the anti-tumor effect of WZ26 against CCA is unclear. In this study, we evaluated the anti-tumor effect of WZ26 in both CCA cells and CCA xenograft mouse model. The underlying molecular anti-cancer mechanism of WZ26 was also studied. Our results show that WZ26 significantly inhibited cell growth and induced mitochondrial apoptosis in CCA cell lines, leading to significant inhibition of tumor growth in xenograft tumor mouse model. Treatment of WZ26 increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, subsequently decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and inhibited the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), thereby inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. Pretreatment of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), an antioxidant agent, could fully reverse the WZ26-induced ROS-mediated changes in CCA cells. Our findings provide experimental evidence that curcumin analog WZ26 could be a potential candidate against CCA via enhancing ROS induction and inhibition of STAT3 activation.

Nano-curcumin effects on nicotine dependence, depression, anxiety and metabolic parameters in smokers: A randomized double-blind clinical study

Background

Smoking is clearly associated with metabolic profiles/abnormalities, psychological dysfunction, and symptoms of nicotine dependence. Nano-Curcumin (Nano-CUR) is a medicinal herb with antianxiety, antioxidant antidepressant-like effects, and anti-inflammatory properties. This RCT aimed to determine the therapeutic effects of Nano-CUR in smokers on clinical symptoms and metabolic parameters.

Methods

This trial was conducted on 70 participants with cigarette smoking. Smokers in two arms received soft gel capsules Nano-CUR 80 mg/daily for 3 months (n = 35) and placebo (n = 35), respectively. Primary outcomes (Nicotine dependence syndrome scale, depression, and anxiety beck score), and secondary outcomes (glycemic, lipid, stress oxidative, and inflammation profiles) were analyzed before and 3-months after the intervention in smokers.

Results

Nano-CUR supplementation significantly decreased nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, and C-reactive protein levels (P < 0.05), compared to the control. Furthermore, no significant effect change was shown in nicotine dependence syndrome, depression, anxiety, and other metabolic parameters (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Nano-CUR intake may have favorable effects on C-reactive protein, malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide in subjects with cigarette smoking. More RCT are required to evaluate the effectiveness of Nano-CUR supplementations in smokers in order to reject or support these conclude.

Recent updates on clinical developments of curcumin and its derivatives

Curcumin, a natural polyphenol, derived from Curcuma longa L. is extensively studied by various researchers across the globe and has established its immense potential in the management of several disorders at clinical level. The underlying mechanism of curcumin involves regulation of various molecular targets, namely, inflammatory cytokines, transcription factor, apoptotic genes, growth factors, oxidative stress biomarkers, and protein kinases. In clinical trials, curcumin as an adjuvant has significantly boost-up the efficacy of many proven drugs in the management of arthritis, neurodegenerative disorder, oral infection, and gastrointestinal disorders. Moreover, clinical studies have suggested curcumin as an appropriate candidate for the prevention and/or management of various cancers via regulation of signaling molecules including NF-kB, cytokines, C-reactive protein, prostaglandin E2, Nrf2, HO-1, ALT, AST, kinases, and blood profiles. This article highlights plethora of clinical trials that have been conducted on curcumin and its derivatives in the management of several ailments. Besides, it provides recent updates to the investigators for conducting future research to fulfill the current gaps to expedite the curcumin utility in clinical subjects bearing different pathological states.

Curcumin-sulfobutyl-ether beta cyclodextrin inclusion complex: preparation, spectral characterization, molecular modeling, and antimicrobial activity

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by Gram-negative bacteria E. coli is responsible for 80-90% of uncomplicated cases in women. The increased prevalence of antibiotic resistance has made the management of UTIs more challenging. Plant-derived compounds have long been used to treat various diseases, and constitute an alternative to antibiotic resistance. Curcumin (CUR), a naturally occurring polyphenolic phytoconstituent obtained from Curcuma longa is endowed with diverse medicinal properties. The present study aims to form a complex of CUR with Sulfobutyl ether-β-cyclodextrin (SBEβCD) to overcome the poor solubility and bioavailability of CUR and to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of CUR-SBEβCD. Phase solubility studies and spectral characterization showed the entrapment of CUR in the SBEβCD cavity. In silico docking studies performed to investigate the complexation process of CUR with SBEβCD, revealed that the methoxy group and OH group of CUR interacted with SBEβCD. The cytotoxicity and HET-CAM assays confirmed that CUR-SBEβCD was non-irritant. The prepared complex investigated with the disc diffusion method showed antimicrobial activity with a zone of inhibition (ZOI) of 13 mm against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and 11.5 mm against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) whereas CUR alone did not show any ZOI. It can be concluded that prepared CUR-SBEβCD demonstrated superior antimicrobial activity and therefore can be a promising alternative for the treatment of UTIs.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Potentials of curcumin against polycystic ovary syndrome: Pharmacological insights and therapeutic promises

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder among women (4%-20%) when the ovaries create abnormally high levels of androgens, the male sex hormones that are typically present in women in trace amounts. The primary characteristics of PCOS include oxidative stress, inflammation, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperandrogenism, and insulin resistance. Generally, metformin, spironolactone, eflornithine and oral contraceptives are used to treat PCOS, despite their several side effects. Therefore, finding a potential candidate for treating PCOS is necessary. Curcumin is a major active natural polyphenolic compound derived from turmeric (Curcuma longa). A substantial number of studies have shown that curcumin has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, antibacterial, and anti-apoptotic activities. In addition, curcumin reduces hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperandrogenism, and insulin resistance in various conditions, including PCOS. The review highlighted the therapeutic aspects of curcumin against the pathophysiology of PCOS. We also offer a hypothesis to improve the development of medicines based on curcumin against PCOS.

Efficacy of Curcumin on Cognitive Function Scores in Women with Premenstrual Syndrome and Dysmenorrhea: A Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVE

To assess the efficacy of a curcumin supplementation on cognitive abilities in women suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and dysmenorrhea.

METHODS

A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted from December 2019 to March 2020. A total of 124 women who had both PMS and dysmenorrhea were enrolled, and were equally and randomly assigned to the curcumin group or placebo group, 62 cases in each. Each subject received either a capsule containing 500 mg of curcuminoid, or a placebo daily, for 10 days (7 days before and until 3 days after the onset of menstrual bleeding) over 3 menstrual cycles. The cognitive abilities questionnaire was used to measures cognitive functions in 7 specific areas. Adverse reactions were monitored during and after the trial in both groups.

RESULTS

Administration of curcumin was associated with a significant increase in memory score (P=0.002), inhibitory control and selective attention (P=0.020), and total cognitive ability task (P=0.024). In addition, significant increments were found in scores of memory (3.5±3.1 vs. 0.4±3.8 in the curcumin and placebo groups, respectively; P=0.035), inhibitory control and selective attention (3.0±3.7 vs. 0.4±3.7; P=0.027) and total cognitive abilities (8.3±12.3 vs. 2.2±12.4; P=0.025) in the curcumin group versus placebo groups. Curcumin was safe and well-tolerable in current clinical trial.

CONCLUSION

Curcumin has a beneficial efficacy on cognitive function scores in women with PMS and dysmenorrhea, with improvements in memory, inhibitory control and selective attention. (Registration No. IRCT20191112045424N1, available at: https://www.irct.ir ).

Role of Turmeric and Curcumin in Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases: Lessons Learned from Clinical Trials

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been used for thousands of years for the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases. Curcumin is just one of >200 ingredients in turmeric. Almost 7000 scientific papers on turmeric and almost 20,000 on curcumin have been published in PubMed. Scientific reports based on cell culture or animal studies are often not reproducible in humans. Therefore, human clinical trials are the best indicators for the prevention and treatment of a disease using a given agent/drug. Herein, we conducted an extensive literature survey on PubMed and Scopus following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The keywords "turmeric and clinical trials" and "curcumin and clinical trials" were considered for data mining. A total of 148 references were found to be relevant for the key term "turmeric and clinical trials", of which 70 were common in both PubMed and Scopus, 44 were unique to PubMed, and 34 were unique to Scopus. Similarly, for the search term "curcumin and clinical trials", 440 references were found to be relevant, of which 70 were unique to PubMed, 110 were unique to Scopus, and 260 were common to both databases. These studies show that the golden spice has enormous health and medicinal benefits for humans. This Review will extract and summarize the lessons learned about turmeric and curcumin in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases based on clinical trials.

Curcumin Supplementation and Human Disease: A Scoping Review of Clinical Trials

Medicinal properties of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), a plant used for centuries as an anti-inflammatory, are attributed to its polyphenolic curcuminoids, where curcumin predominates. Although "curcumin" supplements are a top-selling botanical with promising pre-clinical effects, questions remain regarding biological activity in humans. To address this, a scoping review was conducted to assess human clinical trials reporting oral curcumin effects on disease outcomes. Eight databases were searched using established guidelines, yielding 389 citations (from 9528 initial) that met inclusion criteria. Half focused on obesity-associated metabolic disorders (29%) or musculoskeletal disorders (17%), where inflammation is a key driver, and beneficial effects on clinical outcomes and/or biomarkers were reported for most citations (75%) in studies that were primarily double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trials (77%, D-RCT). Citations for the next most studied disease categories (neurocognitive [11%] or gastrointestinal disorders [10%], or cancer [9%]), were far fewer in number and yielded mixed results depending on study quality and condition studied. Although additional research is needed, including systematic evaluation of diverse curcumin formulations and doses in larger D-RCT studies, the preponderance of current evidence for several highly studied diseases (e.g., metabolic syndrome, osteoarthritis), which are also clinically common, are suggestive of clinical benefits.

Anxiety and Metabolic Disorders: The Role of Botanicals

Anxiety and anxiety-related disorders are becoming more evident every day, affecting an increasing number of people around the world. Metabolic disorders are often associated with anxiety. Furthermore, anxiety branches into metabolic disorders by playing multiple roles as a cofactor, symptom, and comorbidity. Taken together, these considerations open the possibility of integrating the therapy of metabolic disorders with specific drugs for anxiety control. However, anxiolytic compounds often cause disabling effects in patients. The main goal could be to combine therapeutic protocols with compounds capable of reducing side effects while performing multiple beneficial effects. In this article we propose a group of bioactive ingredients called botanicals as a healthy supplement for the treatment of metabolic disorders related to anxiety.

Impacts of turmeric and its principal bioactive curcumin on human health: Pharmaceutical, medicinal, and food applications: A comprehensive review

The yellow polyphenolic pigment known as curcumin, originating from the rhizome of the turmeric plant Curcuma longa L., has been utilized for ages in ancient medicine, as well as in cooking and food coloring. Recently, the biological activities of turmeric and curcumin have been thoroughly investigated. The studies mainly focused on their antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective impacts. This review seeks to provide an in-depth, detailed discussion of curcumin usage within the food processing industries and its effect on health support and disease prevention. Curcumin's bioavailability, bio-efficacy, and bio-safety characteristics, as well as its side effects and quality standards, are also discussed. Finally, curcumin's multifaceted uses, food appeal enhancement, agro-industrial techniques counteracting its instability and low bioavailability, nanotechnology and focused drug delivery systems to increase its bioavailability, and prospective clinical use tactics are all discussed.

Effect of nano-curcumin on various diseases: A comprehensive review of clinical trials

The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties of curcumin have made it a valuable herbal product for improving various disorders, such as COVID-19, cancer, depression, anxiety, osteoarthritis, migraine, and diabetes. Recent research has demonstrated that encapsulating curcumin in nanoparticles might improve its therapeutic effects and bioavailability. To our knowledge, the efficacy of nano-curcumin on different aspects of health and disease has not been summarized in a study. Therefore, this review aimed to evaluate nano-curcumin's efficacy in various diseases based on the findings of clinical trials. In order to review publications focusing on nanocurcumin's impact on various diseases, four databases were searched, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. This review highlights the potential benefits of nano-curcumin in improving a wide range of human diseases including COVID-19, neurological disorders, chronic disease, oral diseases, osteoarthritis, metabolic syndrome, and other diseases, especially as an adjunct to standard therapy and a healthy lifestyle.

Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Depression. II: Evidence from Clinical Trials

Depression is a syndrome characterized by deep sadness and the inhibition of psychic functions, sometimes accompanied by neurovegetative disorders, with symptoms of anxiety almost always present. The disease produces alterations in a variety of neural networks and neurotransmission systems, along with a dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which leads to concomitant alterations in the immunological response. Generally, there is a parallel increase in proinflammatory mediators as well as oxidative and nitrosative damage caused by a reduction of antioxidant defenses. In a previous review, we compiled and examined studies of medicinal plants that had been evaluated in preclinical assays, including existing data on 155 species studied and reported as antidepressants or as sources of active principles for treating this condition. This review will thus limit its focus to the 95 clinical trials found in PubMed among the 670 articles on antidepressant-like medicinal plants. To this end, we have reviewed the publications cited in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed, and the Science Citation Index from 2000 to 2020. Our review emphasizes those species that have demonstrated the greatest pharmacological potential when studied for their antidepressant properties in humans through clinical trials. Saffron, turmeric, St. John's wort, ginkgo, kava, and golden root are the most relevant plants that have provided important evidence for the treatment of depression in clinical trials.

Communication in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and role of immunomodulatory nutraceuticals in their management

Conveyance of pathogens between organisms causes communicable diseases. On the other hand, a non-communicable disease (NCD) was always thought to have no causative transmissible infective agents. Today, this clear distinction is increasingly getting blurred and NCDs are found to be associated with some transmissible components. The human microbiota carries a congregation of microbes, the majority and the most widely studied being bacteria in the gut. The adult human gut harbors ginormous inhabitant microbes, and the microbiome accommodates 150-fold more genes than the host genome. Microbial communities share a mutually beneficial relationship with the host, especially with respect to host physiology including digestion, immune responses, and metabolism. This review delineates the connection between environmental factors such as infections leading to gut dysbiosis and NCDs and explores the evidence regarding possible causal link between them. We also discuss the evidence regarding the value of appropriate therapeutic immunomodulatory nutritional interventions to reduce the development of such diseases. We behold such immunomodulatory effects have the potential to influence in various NCDs and restore homeostasis. We believe that the beginning of the era of microbiota-oriented personalized treatment modalities is not far away.

Anticancer efficacy of endo- and exogenous potent ligands acting at dopaminergic receptor-expressing cancer cells

Cancer is one of the most common and dreaded diseases affecting the vastness of society. Unfortunately, still some people die especially when cancer is not diagnosed and thus caught early enough. On the other hand, using available chemo- or radiotherapy may result in serious side effects. Therefore, cancer-specific medications seem to be the most desired and safe therapy. Knowing that some cancers are characterized by overexpression of specific receptors on the cell surface, target-mediated drugs could serve as a unique and effective form of therapy. In line with this, recently dopaminergic receptors were presented important in cancer therapy as several dopaminergic ligands revealed their efficacy in tumor growth reduction as well as in apoptosis mediation. Unfortunately, the indication of whether DA receptor agonists or antagonists are the best choices in cancer treatment is quite difficult, since both of them may exert either pro- or anticancer effects. In this review, we analyze the therapeutic efficacy of compounds, both of exogenous and endogenous origin, targeting dopaminergic receptor-expressing cancers.

Demystifying phytoconstituent-derived nanomedicines in their immunoregulatory and therapeutic roles in inflammatory diseases

In the past decades, phytoconstituents have appeared as critical mediators for immune regulations among various diseases, both in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. These bioactive molecules, showing a broad range of biological functions, would hold tremendous promise for developing new therapeutics. The discovery of phytoconstituents' capability of functionally regulating immune cells and associating cytokines, suppressing systemic inflammation, and remodeling immunity have rapidly promoted the idea of their employment as anti-inflammatory agents. In this review, we discuss various roles of phyto-derived medicines in the field of inflammatory diseases, including chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and acute inflammatory disease such as COVID-19. Nevertheless, traditional phyto-derived medicines often concurred with their clinical administration limitations, such as their lack of cell specificity, inefficient cytoplasmic delivery, and rapid clearance by the immune system. As alternatives, phyto-derived nano-approaches may provide significant benefits. Both unmodified and engineered nanocarriers present the potential to serve as phytoconstituent delivery systems to improve therapeutic physio-chemical properties and pharmacokinetic profiles. Thus, the development of phytoconstituents' nano-delivery designs, their new and perspective approaches for therapeutical applications are elaborated herein.

HDAC Inhibitory and Anti-Cancer Activities of Curcumin and Curcumin Derivative CU17 against Human Lung Cancer A549 Cells

Previous research reported that the curcumin derivative (CU17) inhibited several cancer cell growths in vitro. However, its anticancer potential against human lung cancer cells (A549 cell lines) has not yet been evaluated. The purpose of this research was to examine the HDAC inhibitory and anti-cancer activities of CU17 compared to curcumin (CU) in A549 cells. An in vitro study showed that CU17 had greater HDAC inhibitory activity than CU. CU17 inhibited HDAC activity in a dose dependent manner with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 0.30 ± 0.086 µg/mL against HDAC enzymes from HeLa nuclear extract. In addition, CU17 could bind at the active pockets of both human class I HDACs (HDAC1, 2, 3, and 8) and class II HDACs (HDAC4, 6, and 7) demonstrated by molecular docking studies, and caused hyperacetylation of histone H3 (Ac-H3) in A549 cells shown by Western blot analysis. MTT assay indicated that both CU and CU17 suppressed A549 cell growth in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Besides, CU and CU17 induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and p53-independent apoptosis in A549 cells. Both CU and CU17 down-regulated the expression of p53, p21, Bcl-2, and pERK1/2, but up-regulated Bax expression in this cell line. Although CU17 inhibited the growth of lung cancer cells less effectively than CU, it showed less toxicity than CU for non-cancer cells. Accordingly, CU17 is a promising agent for lung cancer treatment. Additionally, CU17 synergized the antiproliferative activity of Gem in A549 cells, indicating the possibility of employing CU17 as an adjuvant treatment to enhance the chemotherapeutic effect of Gem in lung cancer.

Clinical Efficacy of Curcumin and Vitamin E on Inflammatory-Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Primary Symptoms of Menopause in Healthy Postmenopausal Women: A Triple-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Aims of the Study. Reducing estrogen levels due to menopause activates oxidative and inflammatory processes, which causes symptoms of menopause, anxiety, and sexual dysfunction. As a suggestion, potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents such as curcumin and vitamin E could be used as an effective alternative treatment due to parsimony, suitable access, and fewer side effects. Therefore, the present study was conducted to find out whether supplementation with curcumin and vitamin E affects inflammatory-oxidative stress biomarkers and primary symptoms of menopause in healthy postmenopausal women. Methods Used to Conduct the Study. The present study is a triple-blind parallel randomized controlled trial. Eighty-four eligible postmenopausal women aged 40 to 60 years old were randomly assigned into three groups using block randomization with an allocation ratio of 1 : 1 : 1. The curcumin group received one capsule containing 500 mg curcumin twice a day, the vitamin E group received one 500 mg capsule of vitamin E twice a day, and the placebo group took two placebo capsules containing 500 mg of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) daily for eight weeks. Demographic and anthropometric characteristics, dietary intake, and early symptoms of menopause were collected at baseline. Serum levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured at baseline and after the intervention. Intervention safety and satisfaction with the intervention were also evaluated. Results of the Study. Eighty-one participants completed the trial and were finally analyzed. There were no statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics and dietary intake of participants (except for vitamin C intake, P=0.023) between the groups at baseline. The mean ± standard deviation (SD) score of total menopause symptoms, depression, anxiety, psychological, vasomotor, and physical domains significantly decreased within all groups (P < 0.05). Between-group analyses indicated that decreasing the mean score of anxiety in the vitamin E group was significantly more than in the placebo group (P=0.026). The mean (SD) serum levels of MDA and hs-CRP significantly decreased only in the curcumin group (P=0.009 and P=0.025, respectively). Serum levels of TAC significantly increased in curcumin and vitamin E groups (P < 0.001 and P=0.006, respectively). Conclusions Drawn from the Study and Clinical Implications. Curcumin could improve the oxidative stress (MDA and TAC) and inflammatory (hs-CRP) biomarkers. Vitamin E may also improve the antioxidant status by increasing the TAC levels. The alleviation of anxiety in the vitamin E group was more than in the placebo group. Clinical Trial Registration. The trial was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (https://irct.ir/IRCT20131009014957N6).

Curcumin - The Nutraceutical With Pleiotropic Effects? Which Cardiometabolic Subjects Might Benefit the Most?

Despite continuous advances in pharmacotherapy, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease remains the world's leading killer. Atherosclerosis relates not only to an increased level of cholesterol, but involves the development of atherosclerotic plaques, which are formed as a result of processes including inflammation and oxidative stress. Therefore, in addition to the classical risk factors for ASCVD (such as type 2 diabetes, overweight, obesity, hypertension and metabolic syndrome), residual risk factors such as inflammation and oxidative stress should also be reduced. The most important intervention in ASCVD is prevention, which includes promoting a healthy diet based on products of natural origin. Curcumin, which is often present in the diet, has been demonstrate to confer several benefits to health. It has been shown in numerous clinical trials that curcumin exhibited anti-diabetic, lipid-lowering, antihypertensive, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as promoting weight loss. All this means that curcumin has a comprehensive impact on the most important risk factors of ASCVD and may be a beneficial support in the treatment of these diseases. Recently, it has also been shown that curcumin may have a beneficial effect on the course of SARS-CoV-2 infection and might be helpful in the prevention of long-COVID complications. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge regarding the safety and efficacy of curcumin in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic diseases.

Effect of Curcumin in Experimental Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Antimycobacterial Activity in the Lungs and Anti-Inflammatory Effect in the Brain

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the ten leading causes of death worldwide. Patients with TB have been observed to suffer from depression and anxiety linked to social variables. Previous experiments found that the substantial pulmonary inflammation associated with TB causes neuroinflammation, neuronal death, and behavioral impairments in the absence of brain infection. Curcumin (CUR) is a natural product with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities. In this work, we evaluated the CUR effect on the growth control of mycobacteria in the lungs and the anti-inflammatory effect in the brain using a model of progressive pulmonary TB in BALB/c mice infected with drug-sensitive mycobacteria (strain H37Rv). The results have shown that CUR decreased lung bacilli load and pneumonia of infected animals. Finally, CUR significantly decreased neuroinflammation (expression of TNFα, IFNγ and IL12) and slightly increased the levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related to factor 2 (Nrf2) and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, improving behavioral status. These results suggest that CUR has a bactericidal effect and can control pulmonary mycobacterial infection and reduce neuroinflammation. It seems that CUR has a promising potential as adjuvant therapy in TB treatment.

Curcumin alleviates hepatic steatosis by improving mitochondrial function in postnatal overfed rats and fatty L02 cells through the SIRT3 pathway

Postnatal overfeeding could increase the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adulthood. This study investigated the effects of curcumin (CUR) on hepatic steatosis in postnatal overfed rats and elucidated potential mechanisms in mitochondrial functions. Male rats were adjusted to ten (normal litter, NL) or three (small litter, SL) at postnatal day 3. After weaning, NL rats were fed with normal diet (NL) or a high-fat diet (NH) for 10 weeks. SL rats were fed with normal diet (SL), a high-fat diet (SH), a normal diet supplemented with 2% CUR (SL-CUR) or a high-fat diet supplemented with 2% CUR (SH-CUR). At week 13, compared with NL rats, SL and NH rats showed increased body weight, glucose intolerance, dyslipidemia and hepatic lipid accumulation, and these changes were more obvious in SH rats. The opposite trends were observed in SL-CUR and SH-CUR rats. Moreover, CUR could preserve mitochondrial biogenesis and antioxidant response in postnatal overfed rats, and upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of SIRT3. In vitro, L02 cells were exposed to free fatty acids and/or CUR. CUR decreased the levels of cellular lipids and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, and increased the mitochondrial DNA copy number and superoxide dismutase activity in fatty L02 cells. However, these effects were blocked after SIRT3 silencing. It was concluded that postnatal overfeeding damaged mitochondrial biogenesis and antioxidant response, and increased hepatic lipids and the severity of high-fat-induced NAFLD, while CUR alleviated hepatic steatosis, at least partially, by enhancing mitochondrial function through SIRT3.

Hepatorenal protective effect of nano-curcumin against nano‑copper oxide-mediated toxicity in rats: Behavioral performance, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, apoptosis, and histopathology

BACKGROUND

Metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) induce oxidative stress that can cause cellular toxicity. A natural antioxidant that can be used to protect tissues from oxidative stress is curcumin.

PURPOSE

In the present study, we evaluated the protective effect of curcumin nanoparticles (curcumin-NPs) against copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs)-mediated hepatorenal effects on behavioral performance, biochemical markers, antioxidants, inflammation, apoptosis, and histopathology in rats.

STUDY DESIGN

Twenty Wistar adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 5); Group Ι served as a control, group ΙΙ was orally gavaged with curcumin-NPs (100 mg/Kg), group ΙΙI orally received CuO-NPs (100 mg/kg), and group ΙV received both CuO-NPs and curcumin-NPs orally for 14 days.

METHODS

Behavioral performance, biochemical markers, antioxidants, inflammatory mediators, and apoptotic gene expression were evaluated in addition to histopathological and immunohistochemical examination.

RESULTS

The results revealed that rats exposed to CuO-NPs suffered from behavioral alterations and hepatic and renal damages, which indicated by a marked elevation of serum biochemical parameters, including alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, urea, uric acid, and creatinine and a decline of total protein. Moreover, there was a significant downregulation in the expression of antioxidants genes, whereas inflammatory mediators expression were upregulated. The histopathological and immunohistochemical examination also corroborated these findings. In contrast, rats co-treated with curcumin-NPs exhibited better behavioral performance, biochemical profile, gene expression, histological architecture, and immunohistochemical staining results.

CONCLUSION

These findings strongly indicated that curcumin-NPs exert significant protection against the behavioral and hepatorenal disorders induced by CuO-NPs toxicity by modulating oxidative stress regulators and gene expression.

Plant-derived nootropics and human cognition: A systematic review

Substances with modulatory capabilities on certain aspects of human cognition have been revered as nootropics from the dawn of time. The plant kingdom provides most of the currently available nootropics of natural origin. Here, in this systematic review, we aim to provide state-of-the-art information regarding proven and unproven effects of plant-derived nootropics (PDNs) on human cognition in conditions of health and disease. Six independent searches, one for each neurocognitive domain (NCD), were performed in parallel using three independent scientific library databases: PubMed, Cochrane and Scopus. Only scientific studies and systematic reviews with humans published between January 2000 and November 2021 were reviewed, and 256 papers were included. Ginkgo biloba was the most relevant nootropic regarding perceptual and motor functions. Bacopa monnieri improves language, learning and memory. Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) modulates anxiety and social-related cognitions. Caffeine enhances attention and executive functions. Together, the results from the compiled studies highlight the nootropic effects and the inconsistencies regarding PDNs that require further research.Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2021.2021137.

Potential Role of Curcumin for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

Curcumin is the major biologically active polyphenolic constituent in the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa) that has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anticancer, antimicrobial, and cardioprotective effects. Interest in curcumin as a treatment for mental health conditions has increased and there is an expanding body of preclinical and clinical research examining its antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. In this narrative review, human trials investigating the effects of curcumin for the treatment of depression or depressive symptoms are summarised. Using findings from in vitro, animal, and human trials, possible biological mechanisms associated with the antidepressant effects of curcumin are also explored. To increase the understanding of curcumin for the treatment of depression, directions for future research are proposed.

Depression and obesity among females, are sex specificities considered?

This study aimed to systematically review the relationship of obesity-depression in the female sex. We carried out a systematic search (PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase) to quantify the articles (controlled trials and randomized controlled trials) regarding obesity and depression on a female population or a mixed sample. Successively, we established whether the sex specificities were studied by the authors and if they reported on collecting data regarding factors that may contribute to the evolution of obesity and depression and that could be responsible for the greater susceptibility of females to those conditions. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we found a total of 20 articles with a female sample and 54 articles with a mixed sample. More than half of all articles (51.35%, n = 38) evaluated the relationship between depression and obesity, but only 20 (27.03%) evaluated this relationship among females; still, 80% of those (n = 16) presented supporting results. However, few articles considered confounding factors related to female hormones (12.16%, n = 9) and none of the articles focused on factors responsible for the binomial obesity-depression in the female sex. The resulting articles also supported that depression (and related impairments) influencing obesity (and related impairments) is a two-way road. This systematic review supports the concurrency of obesity-depression in females but also shows how sex specificities are ultimately under-investigated. Female sex specificity is not being actively considered when studying the binomial obesity-depression, even within a female sample. Future studies should focus on trying to understand how the female sex and normal hormonal variations influence these conditions.

Safety Aspects of the Use of Isolated Piperine Ingested as a Bolus

Piperine is a natural ingredient of Piper nigrum (black pepper) and some other Piper species. Compared to the use of pepper for food seasoning, piperine is used in food supplements in an isolated, concentrated form and ingested as a bolus. The present review focuses on the assessment of the possible critical health effects regarding the use of isolated piperine as a single ingredient in food supplements. In human and animal studies with single or short-term bolus application of isolated piperine, interactions with several drugs, in most cases resulting in increased drug bioavailability, were observed. Depending on the drug and extent of the interaction, such interactions may carry the risk of unintended deleteriously increased or adverse drug effects. Animal studies with higher daily piperine bolus doses than in human interaction studies provide indications of disturbance of spermatogenesis and of maternal reproductive and embryotoxic effects. Although the available human studies rarely reported effects that were regarded as being adverse, their suitability for detailed risk assessment is limited due to an insufficient focus on safety parameters apart from drug interactions, as well as due to the lack of investigation of the potentially adverse effects observed in animal studies and/or combined administration of piperine with other substances. Taken together, it appears advisable to consider the potential health risks related to intake of isolated piperine in bolus form, e.g., when using certain food supplements.

Current clinical developments in curcumin-based therapeutics for cancer and chronic diseases

The last decade has seen an unprecedented rise in the prevalence of chronic diseases worldwide. Different mono-targeted approaches have been devised to treat these multigenic diseases, still most of them suffer from limited success due to the off-target debilitating side effects and their inability to target multiple pathways. Hence a safe, efficacious, and multi-targeted approach is the need for the hour to circumvent these challenging chronic diseases. Curcumin, a natural compound extracted from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, has been under intense scrutiny for its wide medicinal and biological properties. Curcumin is known to manifest antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal, antineoplastic, antifungal, and proapoptotic effects. A plethora of literature has already established the immense promise of curcuminoids in the treatment and clinical management of various chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, inflammatory, and infectious diseases. To date, more than 230 clinical trials have opened investigations to understand the pharmacological aspects of curcumin in human systems. Still, further randomized clinical studies in different ethnic populations warrant its transition to a marketed drug. This review summarizes the results from different clinical trials of curcumin-based therapeutics in the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases.

Effects of Curcumin on Depression and Anxiety: A Narrative Review of the Recent Clinical Data

Depressive and anxiety disorders affect a significant proportion of the global population and constitute one of the highest disease burdens worldwide. Conventional pharmacological treatments are traditionally the first line of therapy for individuals affected by these conditions although these are only successful approximately half of the time and are often associated with undesirable side effects. This review describes the use of the natural substance curcumin as a potential alternative treatment of these mental disorders. With this in mind, we analyzed the effects of curcumin in eight clinical studies of depression and five studies of anxiety and assessed these using psychiatric symptom scores and molecular biomarker readouts.

The Effect of Curcumin Supplemsentation on Anthropometric Indices in Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Curcumin is an active molecule present in turmeric and is the main therapeutic compound. There is growing evidence that curcumin could affect various anthropometric indices. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy of curcumin supplementation on anthropometric indices in obese and overweight individuals.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar from inception up to February 2020 to identify randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of curcumin supplementation on anthropometric indices including body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), arm circumference (AC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), total body fat (TBF), and visceral fat (VF) in obese and overweight individuals. The Jadad scale was used to assess the quality of the included studies.

RESULT

Twenty-eight randomized controlled trials, comprising 2168 participants, were included in the systematic review. The results of 16 papers indicated that curcumin reduced at least one of the anthropometric indices among individuals with a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m². Nevertheless, 12 articles showed that curcumin supplementation was not effective in any of the measured anthropometric factors. The included trials exhibited substantial heterogeneity in terms of the treatment protocol, follow-up duration, curcumin dosage, and background diseases of the participants.

CONCLUSION

Clinical trials that have independently examined the effects of curcumin in obese or overweight individuals are limited. However, available studies indicate that curcumin has beneficial impacts on various anthropometric indices. Further trials with longer duration of interventions are needed to confirm these findings.

Curcumin and Piperine in COVID-19: A Promising Duo to the Rescue?

COVID-19 is now pandemic throughout the world, and scientists are searching for effective therapies to prevent or treat the disease. The combination of curcumin and piperine is a potential option for the management of COVID-19 based on several mechanisms including antiviral, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antifibrotic, and antioxidant effects. Here, we describe the probable mechanism of curcumin-piperine against COVID-19. Administration of curcumin-piperine combination appears as a potential strategy to counterbalance the pathophysiological features of COVID-19 including inflammation. The optimal dose and duration of curcumin-piperine supplementation should be determined in the future.

Short Term, Oral Supplementation with Optimized Curcumin Does Not Impair Performance Improvements Associated with High Intensity Interval Training

Curcumin may improve athletic performance through a reduction in inflammation following exercise and improve mental states of well-being. The purpose of this investigation was to explore the effects of a 14 day HIIT intervention and oral supplementation with Longvida^® optimized curcumin on athletic performance, lactate response, and well-being. Sixteen males and twenty females participated in a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to explore the effects of Longvida(R) optimized curcumin (1.0 g/day) and or a placebo (PLA) taken daily during a 14 day HIIT protocol. Participants were randomized into two groups, then evaluated in three groups, curcumin-fast (CURF), curcumin-slow (CURS) and placebo. Curcumin-fast and curcumin-slow were separated by their 16.1 km cycling time trial performance (TT) with CURF and CURS determined by a TT <30 min and >30 min at the pre intervention time point, respectively. Cycling time-trial performance, blood lactate response, and well-being assessments were determined at pre and post 14 day HIIT intervention time points. Blood lactate was recorded at baseline, 8.01 km, 15.1 km, and 1 min post, and 4 min post of the pre and post intervention TT. Following the internvetion, CONP and CURS experienced with 8.15% and 5.04% improvements in TT performance times, while CURF experienced a 0.57% improvement in TT performance time. No changes were observed with respect to other measures. When curcumin is taken daily in conjunction with 14 days of HIIT on a cycle ergometer, cycling performance in either well trained or more recreationally trained athletes is not impaired. Although the improvements in TT performance were not stasticially significant, they are noteworthy.

Effect of turmeric on adiponectin, sexual function and sexual hormones in stressed mice

Sexual function is essential for species survival. Melanocortin, progesterone, and estrogen can improve sexual function and they are modulated by adiponectin hormone which can be increased by Turmeric. In various studies shows Turmeric ability that is easily accessible to increase serum adiponectin levels. Therefore, the researchers decided to conduct a study to determine the effect of turmeric on serum adiponectin levels, sexual behavior, and profile of steroid hormones in stressed mice. Thirty female mice, six in each group (1. control group, 2. mice that received stress, 3. stress mice received 100 mg/kg turmeric (extract daily) for 4 weeks, 4. stress mice received turmeric (extract daily) for 4 weeks and also received adiponectin antagonist, and 5. stress groups received adiponectin antagonist), were used in the current study. The mice first underwent blood sampling. Then all mice were subjected to stress testing before the intervention except one group, which considered as a control group. The intervention in this study was done as a 100 mg/kg turmeric extract that was gavaged daily for each mouse. After the intervention, all mice were tested for sexual behavior, and then blood samples were taken to check serum levels of adiponectin, estradiol, progesterone and prolactin. So, the results showed before the intervention there were no significant difference among 5 group in levels of adiponectin (p = 0.145), estradiol (p = 0.148), progesterone (p = 0.166) and prolactin (p = 0.206) but after intervention there were significant difference between 5 group in levels of adiponectin, estradiol and progesterone (p < 0.001). Also there was significant difference among 5 groups in sexual behavior (p < 0.001). Therefore, consumption of turmeric, which increases serum adiponectin in the stressed mice, can improve sexual function and estradiol hormones profiling.

A systematic review of the antidepressant effects of curcumin: Beyond monoamines theory

BACKGROUND

Depression is a severe, chronic, and recurring mental health disorder, which prevalence and morbimortality have increased in recent years. Several theories are proposed to elucidate the mechanisms of depression, such as the involvement of inflammation and the release of cytokines. Alternative treatments have been developed to improve outcomes of the commonly used drugs, and the use of Curcuma longa stands out. Its primary compound is named curcumin that exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

AIMS

Several studies have shown that curcumin may play antidepressant actions and, therefore, this study aimed to perform a systematic review of the antidepressant effects of curcumin to evaluate the impact of this compound in the treatment of this condition.

METHODS

This systematic review has included studies available in MEDLINE-PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases, and the final selection included 10 randomized clinical trials.

CONCLUSION

Curcumin improves depressant and anxiety behavior in humans. It can increase monoamines and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and may inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and neuronal apoptosis in the brain. Systemically, curcumin enhanced insulin sensitivity, reduced cortisol levels, and reversed metabolic abnormalities. Studies with larger samples and standardized dose and formulation are required to demonstrate the benefits of curcumin in depression treatment since there are many variations in this compound's use.

The efficacy and acceptability of curcumin for the treatment of depression or depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Curcumin, a potential natural substance is a promising complementary and alternative therapeutic intervention for depression or depressive symptoms. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and acceptability.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, PsycInfo, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from the inception up until March 4, 2020. The Outcomes were depressive symptoms, response rates, drop-out rates, and adverse effects.

RESULTS

A total of 594 patients from ten trials were subjected to meta-analysis. Three trials were judged to be at high risk of bias, four at unclear risk of bias and three at low risk of bias. Most of the domains for risk of bias were at low risk or unclear risks and three domains at high risks. The pooling results suggested a significant difference in depression or depressive symptoms(SMD= -0.32, 95% CI: -0.50 to -0.13, I²=15%, n=594) and response rates (OR=3.20, 95% CI: 1.28-7.99, I²=35%, n=271). However, there was no difference between drop-out rates (OR=1.06, 95% CI: 0.58-1.93, I²=0%, n=594), digestive symptoms (OR=1.27, 95% CI: 0.69-2.32, I²=0%, n=284) and neurological symptoms (OR=1.08, 95% CI: 0.49-2.36, I²=0%, n=284). Subgroup analysis showed depression was associated with a reduction(SMD= -0.35, 95% CI: -0.56 to -0.15, I²=7%, n=432) but depressive symptoms were not (SMD= -0.17, 95% CI: -0.61 to 0.26, I²=40%, n=162).

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence quality is low, indicating that there is great uncertainty about the efficacy and acceptability of curcumin for the treatment of depression or depressive symptoms.

Manufacturing micro/nano chitosan/chondroitin sulfate curcumin-loaded hydrogel in ionic liquid: A new biomaterial effective against cancer cells

Chitosan/chondroitin sulfate (CHT/CS) curcumin-charged hydrogels were prepared through polyelectrolytic complexation (PEC) following two methodologies (PEC-CUR and PEC-T-CUR) and were applied on apoptosis of HeLa, HT29 and PC3 cancer cells. PEC-T-CUR (ionic liquid (IL) mixed using ultraturrax homogenizer) results show to be far better than for PEC-CUR (IL mixed using magnetic stirring), with IC₅₀ being improved 5.13 times to HeLa cancer cells (from 1675.2 to 326.7 μg mL^-1). PECs produced by this methodology presented favorable characteristics, such as particle size, hydrophobicity, pH swelling. Beyond this, the IL was quantitatively recovered in both cases. CUR entrapment levels were hugely loaded into PEC at around 100%. Swelling, dissolution/degradation, and pH_pzc assays showed that PECs may positively act in several environments, releasing the CUR, the CHT and CS as well. Characterization through FTIR, SEM, TEM, TGA, DSC, and WAXS confirmed CUR presence in both types of PECs, and cytotoxic studies showed the significant anticancer effects of CUR-containing PECs.

The Effect of Curcumin Supplementation on Anthropometric Measures among Overweight or Obese Adults

Over the past decades, the worldwide prevalence of obesity has dramatically increased, thus posing a serious public health threat. Obesity is associated with the development of comorbid conditions and psychological disorders. Several lifestyle interventions have been proposed to tackle obesity; however, long-term maintenance of these interventions often proves challenging. In addition, among the different types of diets there is still a debate about the optimal macronutrient composition that will achieve the best results in weight loss. Recently, several commonly used spices such as pepper, ginger, and curcumin have been shown to play a beneficial role in obesity management. Therefore, exploring the effects of certain herbs or dietary spices on obesity may be promising. Among these spices, curcumin, which is the primary component of the spice turmeric, has gained great interest for its multiple health benefits. Several randomized controlled trials have investigated the potential favorable effects of curcumin supplementation on anthropometric measures. The aim of this review is to evaluate the effect of curcumin supplementation on the anthropometric indices among overweight or obese adults.

Effects of Polyphenol Supplementations on Improving Depression, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Patients With Depression

Background: Increased prevalence of mental disorders has become a significant public health concern. Recent studies have linked nutrition to depression and anxiety, suggesting that dietary changes or nutritional supplementation may be beneficial in improving mental disorders. Polyphenols have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may counteract physiological changes in depression and anxiety. This study examined the effectiveness of polyphenol supplementation in improving depression, anxiety and quality of life (QoL). Methods: Randomized controlled trials in English and with polyphenol supplementation as the intervention were searched. The primary outcome was depression, and secondary outcomes were anxiety and QoL. Only studies of at least moderate quality based on the Physiotherapy Evidence Database tool were included. Comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis were then used to determine the effect of polyphenol supplementations on improving depression, anxiety and quality of life (QoL) in patients with depression. Results: Nineteen studies with 1,523 participants were included; 18 studies (n = 1,523) were included in the depression meta-analysis, and 5 (n = 188) and 6 (n = 391) in the QoL and anxiety meta-analyses, respectively. Twelve of the 18 studies found significant improvements in depression with polyphenol use, while the meta-analyses results also indicated that polyphenol supplementation significantly improved depression score as compared to control conditions (MD: -2.280, 95% CI: -1.759, -0.133, I ² = 99.465). Although subgroup analyses were conducted a significantly high heterogeneity was still found amongst subgroups. Only 2 of the 5 studies found significant improvements in QoL following polyphenol supplementation and meta-analyses found that polyphenol use did not benefit QoL (MD: -1.344, p < 0.05, I ² = 55.763). For anxiety, 5 of the 6 studies found significant reductions in depression score following polyphenol use but meta-analyses found no significant differences in anxiety score (MD: -0.705, CI: -1.897, 0.487, I ² = 84.06) between polyphenol supplementation and control. Conclusion: The results suggest that polyphenol supplementation is effective in improving depression. Physical illness may act as a risk factor that worsens depression, suggesting the need for preventative supplementation to improve depression. Polyphenol types may have varying effects, which suggests that different populations with depression may benefit from different polyphenols.

Curcumin: A Review of Its Effects on Epilepsy

Central nervous system (CNS) diseases pose an enormous healthcare burden, at both an individual and a societal level. Epilepsy has now become one of the most prevalent CNS disorders. Pharmaceutical drugs prescribed for epilepsy often have serious side effects and, for this reason, attention has turned to the use of medicinal plants. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a major component of Curcuma longa and exhibits various pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunoregulatory properties. Here, we have reviewed the literature relating specifically to the antiepileptic effects of curcumin. The evidence suggests a protective effect of curcumin in the control of epileptic seizures, together with a protective effect on the relief of memory impairment, which may stem from its influence on monoamine levels in the brain.

Nutrition as Metabolic Treatment for Anxiety

Despite the overwhelming prevalence of anxiety disorders in modern society, medications and psychotherapy often fail to achieve complete symptom resolution. A complementary approach to medicating symptoms is to address the underlying metabolic pathologies associated with mental illnesses and anxiety. This may be achieved through nutritional interventions. In this perspectives piece, we highlight the roles of the microbiome and inflammation as influencers of anxiety. We further discuss the evidence base for six specific nutritional interventions: avoiding artificial sweeteners and gluten, including omega-3 fatty acids and turmeric in the diet, supplementation with vitamin D, and ketogenic diets. We attempt to integrate insights from the nutrition science-literature in order to highlight some practices that practitioners may consider when treating individual patients. Notably, this piece is not meant to serve as a comprehensive review of the literature, but rather argue our perspective that nutritional interventions should be more widely considered among clinical psychiatrists. Nutritional psychiatry is in its infancy and more research is needed in this burgeoning low-risk and potentially high-yield field.

Natural Products: Evidence for Neuroprotection to Be Exploited in Glaucoma

Glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, is an optic neuropathy characterized by the progressive death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is recognized as the main risk factor. Despite effective IOP-lowering therapies, the disease progresses in a significant number of patients. Therefore, alternative IOP-independent strategies aiming at halting or delaying RGC degeneration is the current therapeutic challenge for glaucoma management. Here, we review the literature on the neuroprotective activities, and the underlying mechanisms, of natural compounds and dietary supplements in experimental and clinical glaucoma.