Curcumin inhibits proliferation, migration and neointimal formation of vascular smooth muscle via activating miR-22

An Integrated Arterial Remodeling Hydrogel for Preventing Restenosis After Angioplasty

The high incidence of restenosis after angioplasty has been the leading reason for the recurrence of coronary heart disease, substantially increasing the mortality risk for patients. However, current anti-stenosis drug-eluting stents face challenges due to their limited functions and long-term safety concerns, significantly compromising their therapeutic effect. Herein, a stent-free anti-stenosis drug coating (denoted as Cur-NO-Gel) based on a peptide hydrogel is proposed. This hydrogel is formed by assembling a nitric oxide (NO) donor-peptide conjugate as a hydrogelator and encapsulating curcumin (Cur) during the assembly process. Cur-NO-Gel has the capability to release NO upon β-galactosidase stimulation and gradually release Cur through hydrogel hydrolysis. The in vitro experiments confirmed that Cur-NO-Gel protects vascular endothelial cells against oxidative stress injury, inhibits cellular activation of vascular smooth muscle cells, and suppresses adventitial fibroblasts. Moreover, periadventitial administration of Cur-NO-Gel in the angioplasty model demonstrate its ability to inhibit vascular stenosis by promoting reendothelialization, suppressing neointima hyperplasia, and preventing constrictive remodeling. Therefore, the study provides proof of concept for designing a new generation of clinical drugs in angioplasty.

Review of the Protective Mechanism of Curcumin on Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most common cause of death worldwide and has been the focus of research in the medical community. Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound extracted from the root of turmeric. Curcumin has been shown to have a variety of pharmacological properties over the past decades. Curcumin can significantly protect cardiomyocyte injury after ischemia and hypoxia, inhibit myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis, improve ventricular remodeling, reduce drug-induced myocardial injury, improve diabetic cardiomyopathy(DCM), alleviate vascular endothelial dysfunction, inhibit foam cell formation, and reduce vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) proliferation. Clinical studies have shown that curcumin has a protective effect on blood vessels. Toxicological studies have shown that curcumin is safe. But high doses of curcumin also have some side effects, such as liver damage and defects in embryonic heart development. This article reviews the mechanism of curcumin intervention on CVDs in recent years, in order to provide reference for the development of new drugs in the future.

miR-22-3p as a potential biomarker for coronary artery disease based on integrated bioinformatics analysis

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common cardiovascular disease that has attracted attention worldwide due to its high morbidity and mortality. Recent studies have shown that abnormal microRNA (miRNA) expression is effective in CAD diagnoses and processes. However, the potential relationship between miRNAs and CAD remains unclear.

Methods: Microarray datasets GSE105449 and GSE28858 were downloaded directly from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to identify miRNAs involved in CAD. Target gene prediction and enrichment analyses were performed using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG).

Results: There were nine differentially expressed miRNAs in CAD patients compared to the controls. A total of 352 genes were predicted and subjected to GO analysis, which showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly associated with axon guidance, neuron projection guidance, neuron-to-neuron synapses, and postsynaptic density. According to the KEGG pathway analysis, the most enriched pathways were those involved in transcriptional misregulation in cancer, growth hormone synthesis, secretion and action, endocrine resistance, axon guidance, and Cushing syndrome. Pathway analysis was mainly involved in the HIPPO and prion disease signaling pathways. Furthermore, a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) interaction network centered on miR-22-3p revealed eight related transcription factors in the cardiovascular system. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis suggested that miR-22-3p may be a better CAD predictor.

Conclusion: The results indicate that miR-22-3p may function in pathophysiological CAD processes. Our study potentiates miR-22-3p as a specific biomarker for diagnosing CAD.

Benefits of Curcumin in the Vasculature: A Therapeutic Candidate for Vascular Remodeling in Arterial Hypertension and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension?

Growing evidence suggests that hypertension is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality since uncontrolled high blood pressure increases the risk of myocardial infarction, aortic dissection, hemorrhagic stroke, and chronic kidney disease. Impaired vascular homeostasis plays a critical role in the development of hypertension-induced vascular remodeling. Abnormal behaviors of vascular cells are not only a pathological hallmark of hypertensive vascular remodeling, but also an important pathological basis for maintaining reduced vascular compliance in hypertension. Targeting vascular remodeling represents a novel therapeutic approach in hypertension and its cardiovascular complications. Phytochemicals are emerging as candidates with therapeutic effects on numerous pathologies, including hypertension. An increasing number of studies have found that curcumin, a polyphenolic compound derived from dietary spice turmeric, holds a broad spectrum of pharmacological actions, such as antiplatelet, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiangiogenic effects. Curcumin has been shown to prevent or treat vascular remodeling in hypertensive rodents by modulating various signaling pathways. In the present review, we attempt to focus on the current findings and molecular mechanisms of curcumin in the treatment of hypertensive vascular remodeling. In particular, adverse and inconsistent effects of curcumin, as well as some favorable pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics profiles in arterial hypertension will be discussed. Moreover, the recent progress in the preparation of nano-curcumins and their therapeutic potential in hypertension will be briefly recapped. The future research directions and challenges of curcumin in hypertension-related vascular remodeling are also proposed. It is foreseeable that curcumin is likely to be a therapeutic agent for hypertension and vascular remodeling going forwards.

Curcumin alleviates lipopolysaccharides-induced inflammation and apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells via inhibition of the NF-κB and JNK signaling pathways

Curcumin plays an important role in inflammation regulation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of curcumin on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and its mechanism. VSMCs were treated with different concentrations of curcumin (0, 50, 100 and 150 μg/mL). MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to analyze the effects of curcumin on LPS-induced VSMCs viability and apoptosis. The expression and release of inflammatory cytokines in VSMCs were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Moreover, the proteins expressions of NF-κB and JNK signaling pathways were analyzed by western blot. Interestingly, the results showed that curcumin could reduce LPS induced inflammatory injury by increasing VSMC's viability, reducing apoptosis and inhibiting the release of inflammatory cytokines. In addition, curcumin increased the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in LPS treated VSMCs. Mechanistically, we found that curcumin attenuated LPS-induced cell damage in VSMCs via inhibition of NF-κB and the JNK signal pathway. Curcumin can protect VSMCs from LPS induced inflammatory damage, which may be related to the blocking of NF-κB and the JNK signaling pathway. Herewith, curcumin could be potential therapeutics for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Surface-functionalized curcumin-loaded polymeric nanocapsules could block apomorphine-induced behavioral changes in rats

BACKGROUND

Surface functionalization enhances the properties and characteristics of polymeric nanocapsules (NCs) mainly due to the surface charge, surfactants, and polymer coating type. Curcumin (CUR) is a bioactive compound with several proven pharmacological properties and low bioavailability. This study aimed to develop anionic (poly-ɛ-caprolactone; PCL) and cationic (Eudragit^® RS100 (EUD)) NCs prepared with sorbitan monostearate (Span 60^®) or sorbitan monooleate (Span 80^®), coated with d-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) and optimized using 2³ factorial analysis. Subsequently, the biological activity was evaluated.

METHODS

A two-level, three-factor design (polymer, Span type, and TPGS concentration) was used. The biological effects of CUR-loaded TPGS-coated cationic and anionic NCs were assessed in apomorphine-induced stereotyped behavior in rats.

RESULTS

The type of polymer (anionic or cationic) and Span^® had a factorial influence on the physical and chemical characteristics of NCs according to the changes in TPGS concentrations. Both cationic and anionic CUR-NCs could block apomorphine-induced behavioral changes.

CONCLUSIONS

The CUR-loaded TPGS-coated NCs proved to be a promising brain delivery system.

Curcumin as a Natural Remedy for Atherosclerosis: A Pharmacological Review

Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound present in Curcuma longa L. rhizomes, shows potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-atherosclerotic properties. Atherosclerosis is a comprehensive term for a series of degenerative and hyperplasic lesions such as thickening or sclerosis in large- and medium-sized arteries, causing decreased vascular-wall elasticity and lumen diameter. Atherosclerotic cerebro-cardiovascular disease has become a major concern for human health in recent years due to its clinical sequalae of strokes and heart attacks. Curcumin concoction treatment modulates several important signaling pathways related to cellular migration, proliferation, cholesterol homeostasis, inflammation, and gene transcription, among other relevant actions. Here, we provide an overview of curcumin in atherosclerosis prevention and disclose the underlying mechanisms of action of its anti-atherosclerotic effects.

Molecular mechanisms underlying curcumin-mediated microRNA regulation in carcinogenesis; Focused on gastrointestinal cancers

Curcumin is a bioactive ingredient found in the Rhizomes of Curcuma longa. Curcumin is well known for its chemopreventive and anti-cancer properties. Recent findings have demonstrated several pharmacological and biological impacts of curcumin, related to the control and the management of gastrointestinal cancers. Mechanistically, curcumin exerts its biological impacts via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects through the interaction with various transcription factors and signaling molecules. Moreover, epigenetic modulators such as microRNAs (miRNAs) have been revealed as novel targets of curcumin. Curcumin was discovered to regulate the expression of numerous pathogenic miRNAs in gastric, colorectal, esophageal and liver cancers. The present systematic review was performed to identify miRNAs that are modulated by curcumin in gastrointestinal cancers.

Curcumin reduces apoptosis and promotes osteogenesis of human periodontal ligament stem cells under oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo

AIMS

Human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) tether the teeth to the surrounding bone and are considered as major functional stem cells responsible for regeneration of the alveolar bone and periodontal ligament tissue. However, the outcome of stem cell regenerative therapy is affected by the survival rate and their differentiation potential of transplanted cells. This is primarily because of local oxidative stress and chronic inflammation at the transplantation site. Therefore, our study aimed to explore whether a natural antioxidant, curcumin could increase the tissue regeneration ability of transplanted hPDLSCs.

MAIN METHODS

A hydrogen peroxide environment and a rat cranial bone defect model were built to mimic the oxidative stress conditions in vitro and in vivo, respectively. We evaluated the effect of curcumin on oxidative status, apoptosis, mitochondrial function and osteogenic differentiation of H2O2-stimulated hPDLSCs in vitro. We also measured the effect of curcumin on cell viability and bone repair ability of transplanted hPDLSCs in vivo.

KEY FINDINGS

Our data showed that curcumin enhanced cell proliferation, reduced the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and apoptosis, maintained the standard mitochondrial structure and function, and promoted osteogenic differentiation of H2O2-stimulated hPDLSCs. The extracellular regulated protein kinases 1/2 (Erk1/2) signaling pathway was determined to be involved in the osteogenic differentiation of the H2O2-stimulated hPDLSCs. Moreover, curcumin enhanced the viability and the bone repair ability of hPDLSCs in vivo.

SIGNIFICANCE

Curcumin reduced apoptosis and promoted osteogenesis of the hPDLSCs under oxidative stress, and might therefore have a potential clinical use with respect to tissue regeneration.

Glossogyne tenuifolia Attenuates Proliferation and Migration of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

The proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are essential in the pathogenesis of various vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and restenosis. Among the mediators of VSMC during atherosclerosis development, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB is a potent mitogen for VSMCs and greatly contributes to the intimal accumulation of VSMCs. Glossogyne tenuifolia (GT, Xiang-Ru) is a traditional antipyretic and hepatoprotective herb from Penghu Island, Taiwan. This study evaluated the inhibitory effect of GT ethanol extract (GTE) and GT water extract (GTW) on proliferative and migratory activities in PDGF-BB-induced VSMCs. The experimental results demonstrated that GTE significantly inhibited the PDGF-BB-stimulated VSMC proliferation and migration, as shown by MTT, wound healing, and Boyden chamber assays. GTE was found to have a much more potent inhibitory activity than GTW. Based on the Western blot analysis, GTE significantly blocked the PDGF-BB-induced phosphorylation of NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and JNK, in VSMCs. In addition, GTE retarded the PDGF-BB-mediated migration through the suppression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 expression in VSMCs. Three main ingredients of GT-chlorogenic acid, luteolin-7-glucoside, and luteolin-all showed significant anti-proliferative effects on PDGF-BB-induced VSMCs. As a whole, our findings indicated that GTE has the potential to be a therapeutic agent to prevent or treat restenosis or atherosclerosis.