Curcumin inhibits the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells in vitro and in vivo

Lignosus rhinocerotis extract ameliorates airway inflammation and remodelling via attenuation of TGF-β1 and Activin A in a prolonged induced allergic asthma model

Allergic asthma is associated with chronic airway inflammation and progressive airway remodelling. The sclerotium of Lignosus rhinocerotis (Cooke) Ryvarden (Tiger Milk mushroom) is used traditionally to treat various illnesses, including asthma in Southeast Asia. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of L. rhinocerotis extract (LRE) on airway inflammation and remodelling in a chronic model of asthma. The present study investigated the therapeutic effects of LRE on airway inflammation and remodelling in prolonged allergen challenged model in allergic asthma. Female Balb/C mice were sensitised using ovalbumin (OVA) on day 0 and 7, followed by OVA-challenged (3 times/week) for 2, 6 and 10 weeks. LRE (125, 250, 500 mg/kg) were administered by oral gavage one hour after every challenge. One group of mice were left untreated after the final challenge for two weeks. LRE suppressed inflammatory cells and Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13) in BALF and reduced IgE level in the serum. LRE also attenuated eosinophils infiltration and goblet cell hyperplasia in the lung tissues; as well as ameliorated airway remodelling by reducing smooth muscle thickness and reducing the expressions of TGF-β1 and Activin A positive cell in the lung tissues. LRE attenuated airway inflammation and remodelling in the prolonged allergen challenge of allergic asthma model. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of LRE as an alternative for the management of allergic asthma.

Evaluation of nano-curcumin against inhaled paraquat-induced lung injury in rats

BACKGROUND

Acute lung injury (ALI) remains a significant source of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients and currently there is no efficient therapy for this condition. The aim of this research was to evaluate the protective activity of nano-curcumin (nano-CU) as a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent, against inhaled paraquat (PQ)-induced lung injury.

METHODS

One group of rats was exposed to saline (control group, Ctrl) and six groups to PQ aerosol (54 mg/m³ on alternate days 8 times, each time for 30 min) treated with drinking water alone (group PQ), 2 and 8 mg/kg nano-CU (nano + CU(L) and nano + CU(H)), 5 mg/kg pioglitazone (PIO), nano-CU(L) + PIO or 0.03 mg/kg dexamethasone (Dexa) for 16 days after PQ exposure period. PIO and Dexa were intraperitoneal (ip) injected and nano-CU was administered orally (po), (6 rats in each group).

RESULTS

In the PQ group, total and differential WBC counts, malondialdehyde (MDA) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), interferon gamma (INF-γ) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels in the lung tissues, lung pathological changes, and tracheal responsiveness were increased but the BALF thiol, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were reduced. In treated groups with nano-CU(H) and PIO + nano-CU(L), all measured variables, in Dexa and nano-CU(L) treated groups, most variables and in the PIO group only a few variables were improved. The improvement of most variables in the PIO + nano-CU(L) group was significantly higher than in the PIO and nano-CU(L) groups alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Nano-CU ameliorated lung damage induced by inhaled PQ similar to dexa and a synergic effect between nano-CU and PIO was observed, suggesting, a possible PPAR-γ receptor-mediated effect of curcumin.

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.

Autophagy Modulators From Chinese Herbal Medicines: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potentials for Asthma

Asthma has become a global health issue, suffering more than 300 million people in the world, which is a heterogeneous disease, usually characterized by chronic airway inflammation and airway hyperreactivity. Combination of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long acting β-agonists (LABA) can relieve asthma symptoms and reduce the frequency of exacerbations, especially for patients with refractory asthma, but there are limited treatment options for people who do not gain control on combination ICS/LABA. The increase in ICS dose generally provides little additional benefit, and there is an increased risk of side effects. Therefore, therapeutic interventions integrating the use of different agents that focus on different targets are needed to overcome this set of diseases. Some findings suggest autophagy is closely correlated with the severity of asthma through eosinophilic inflammation, and its modulation may provide novel therapeutic approaches for severe allergic asthma. The chinese herbal medicine (CHM) have been demonstrated clinically as potent therapeutic interventions for asthma. Moreover some reports have found that the bioactive components isolated from CHM could modulate autophagy, and exhibit potent Anti-inflammatory activity. These findings have implied the potential for CHMs in asthma or allergic inflammation therapy via the modulation of autophagy. In this review, we discuss the basic pathomechanisms underpinning asthma, and the potential role of CHMs in treating asthma with modulating autophagy.

Active ingredients from Chinese medicine plants as therapeutic strategies for asthma: Overview and challenges

Although considerable advance has been made in diagnosing and treating, asthma is still a serious public health challenge. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an effective therapy of complementary and alternative medicine. More and more scientific evidences support the use of TCM for asthma treatment, and active ingredients from Chinese medicine plants are becoming a hot issue.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To summarize the frontier knowledge on the function and underlying mechanisms of the active ingredients in asthma treatments and provide a fully integrated, reliable reference for exploring innovative treatments for asthma.

METHODS

The cited literature was obtained from the PubMed and CNIK databases (up to September 2020). Experimental studies on the active ingredients of Chinese medicine and their therapeutic mechanisms were identified. The key words used in the literature retrieval were "asthma" and "traditional Chinese medicine" or "Chinese herbal medicine". The literature on the active ingredients was then screened manually.

RESULTS

We summarized the effect of these active ingredients on asthma, primarily including the effect through which these ingredients can regulate the immunologic equilibrium mechanism by acting on a number of signalling pathways, such as Notch, JAK-STAT-MAPK, adiponectin-iNOS-NF-κB, PGD2-CRTH2, PI3K/AKT, Keap1-Nrf2/HO-1, T-bet/Gata-3 and Foxp3-RORγt, thereby regulating the progression of asthma.

CONCLUSION

The active ingredients from Chinese medicine have multilevel effects on asthma by regulating the immunologic equilibrium mechanism or signalling pathways, giving them great clinical value. However, the safety and functional mechanism of these ingredients still must be further determined.

Curcuma longa L. ameliorates asthma control in children and adolescents: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Roots of Curcuma longa L. are used as medicine for millennia. They possess several pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory action, and can be suitable for asthma treatment.

AIM OF THE STUDY

We aimed to test the hypothesis that, in children and adolescents with persistent asthma, the administration of powdered roots of C. longa for 6 months, in addition to standard treatment, compared to placebo, will result in better disease control.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase II clinical trial. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 30 mg/kg/day of C. longa for 6 months, or placebo. Data were collected prospectively. All patients were categorized for asthma severity and control according to GINA-2016 and underwent pulmonary function tests.

RESULTS

Overall, both groups experienced amelioration of their frequency of symptoms and interference with normal activity, but no differences were found between the two treatment groups. However, patients receiving C. longa experienced less frequent nighttime awakenings, less frequent use of short-acting β-adrenergic agonists, and better disease control after 3 and 6 months.

CONCLUSION

The powdered roots of C. longa led to less frequent nighttime awakenings, less frequent use of short-acting β-adrenergic agonists, and better disease control after 3 and 6 months, when compared to placebo.

Hydro-ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa affects tracheal responsiveness and lung pathology in ovalbumin-sensitized rats

Anti-inflammatory effect of Curcuma longa (C. longa) was shown previously. In the present study, the effect of the plant on tracheal responsiveness and lung pathological features in ovalbumin-sensitized rats was evaluated. Six groups of rats including control (C), ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized (S), S groups treated with C. longa (CL; 0.75, 1.50, and 3.00 mg/ml equal to 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg/day) and dexamethasone (D; 1.25 μg/ml) were studied (n=8 in each group). The extract of C. longa and dexamethasone were administered with daily drinking water of animals during sensitization period (for 21 days). Following the treatment period, tracheal responsiveness to methacholine and ovalbumin and lung pathological features was investigated. Tracheal responsiveness to methacholine and OVA and lung pathological scores were increased in group S compared to controls (p<0.01 to p<0.001); however, these parameters in groups treated with dexamethasone and two higher concentrations of C. longa were significantly decreased compared to group S (p<0.05 to p<0.001). Tracheal responsiveness to methacholine was decreased from 50 to 400% due to the extract treatment. All concentrations of C. longa significantly decreased interstitial fibrosis compared to group S (p<0.05 to p<0.001). Treatment with the extract resulted to improvement of pathological changes from 20 to 70%. These results showed a preventive effect for C. longa extract on tracheal responsiveness and lung pathological insults in sensitized rats which were similar or even more than those of dexamethasone at used concentrations.

Silencing of ADAM33 restrains proliferation and induces apoptosis of airway smooth muscle cells in ovalbumin-induced asthma model

A defibrinogen and metalloproteinase 33 (ADAM33) was reported to play an important role in asthma. Furthermore, ADAM33 may play a possible role in airway remodeling due to its high expression in myo-/fibroblasts, epithelium, as well as the airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs). Thus, the study is supposed to investigate the effect of the downregulation of ADAM33 on the proliferation and apoptosis of ASMCs in allergic asthma. An ovalbumin-induced asthma model in rats was established for investigating the function of the silencing of ADAM33. ASMCs were cultured and divided into four groups after transfection. The messenger RNA and protein expressions of ADAM33 were measured by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. Cell proliferation was tested by cell counting kit-8 and cell apoptosis by TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling. The allergic asthma rats showed a large number of inflammatory cell infiltration, airway smooth muscle hypertrophy and hyperplasia, and increased WA _t , WA _m , and numbers of bronchial smooth muscle nucleus. Additionally, increased numbers of eosinophils and neutrophils, expressions of immunoglobulin E and interleukin-4, content of airway air pressure, and NO, although decreased in expression of interferon-γ, were exhibited in rats with allergic asthma. In our study, upregulated ADAM33 was found, and after the silencing of ADAM33, decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis of ASMCs were observed. The study evidences that silencing of ADAM33 can decrease the proliferation and increase the apoptosis of ASMCs in a rat model of allergic asthma, suggesting ADAM33 represents a potential investigative focus target aiding allergic asthma.

T helper cells subtypes and their cytokine gene expression affected by carvacrol in sensitized mice administered during sensitization period

Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells and their cytokine gene expressions in splenocytes of control mice, ovalbumin sensitized (S), and S treated with dexamethasone and carvacrol during a sensitization period were examined. Th2 and Th17 population as well as the gene expression of IL-4, IL-17, and TGF-β were increased, but Th1, Th1/Th2 ratio, the gene expression of IFN-γ and FOXP3 as well as the IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio were decreased in S compared with control group ( P < 0.001 for all cases). Carvacrol treatment caused significant reduction of Th2 and Th17 population as well as gene expression of IL-4, IL-17, and TGF-β but increase in Treg cells, Th1/Th2 ratio, gene expressions of FOXP3, IFN-γ, and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio ( P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). The population of Th1, Th2, Th17 cells as well as the gene expression of IL-4, IL-17, and TGF-β were significantly decreased, but only Treg was increased in the dexamethasone treatment group ( P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Carvacrol treatment during the sensitization period showed a more specific effect on Th1/Th2 imbalance in sensitized mice than dexamethasone, which may indicate the therapeutic potentials of carvacrol in disorders associated with Th1/Th2 imbalance such as asthma.

The regulatory role of curcumin on platelet functions

Curcumin, the main ingredient of Curcuma longa L., has been used as a spice and as a herbal medicine with different therapeutic characteristics for centuries in Asian countries. This phytochemical has been shown to possess beneficial antiplatelet activity that has introduced it as a promising candidate for the treatment of thromboembolism, atherothrombosis, and inflammatory diseases. Platelet dysfunction under different circumstances may lead to cardiovascular disease, and curcumin has been shown to have beneficial effects on platelet dysfunction in several studies. Therefore, this narrative review is aimed to summarize available evidence on the antiplatelet activity of curcumin and related molecular mechanisms for this activity.

Curcumin affects tracheal responsiveness and lung pathology in asthmatic rats

BACKGROUND

Curcumin has shown various pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, the effects of curcumin on tracheal responsiveness and lung pathological features were evaluated in a rat model of asthma.

METHODS

Tracheal responsiveness and lung pathological features were evaluated in control rats (C), ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized rats (as an animal model of asthma; A), A rats treated with curcumin (Cu, 0.15, 0.30, and 0.60 mg/ml) and dexamethasone (D, 1.25 μg/ml), (n = 8 in curcumin-treated groups and n = 6 in other groups). Curcumin and dexamethasone were added to animals' drinking water during the sensitization period.

RESULTS

Asthmatic group showed increased lung pathological score and tracheal responsiveness to methacholine and OVA compared to control group (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001). Pathological features including interstitial inflammation, interstitial fibrosis, bleeding, and emphysema as well as tracheal responsiveness to methacholine and OVA, were significantly decreased in treated groups with dexamethasone and all concentrations of curcumin compared to group A (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Epithelial damage was also significantly decreased in treated groups with the two higher concentrations of curcumin (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Curcumin showed preventive effects on tracheal responsiveness and lung pathological features in asthmatic rats.

Caveolin-1: An Oxidative Stress-Related Target for Cancer Prevention

Aberrant oxidative metabolism is one of the hallmarks of cancer. Reactive species overproduction could promote carcinogenesis via inducing genetic mutations and activating oncogenic pathways, and thus, antioxidant therapy was considered as an important strategy for cancer prevention and treatment. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), a constituent protein of caveolae, has been shown to mediate tumorigenesis and progression through oxidative stress modulation recently. Reactive species could modulate the expression, degradation, posttranslational modifications, and membrane trafficking of Cav-1, while Cav-1-targeted treatments could scavenge the reactive species. More importantly, emerging evidences have indicated that multiple antioxidants could exert antitumor activities in cancer cells and protective activities in normal cells by modulating the Cav-1 pathway. Altogether, these findings indicate that Cav-1 may be a promising oxidative stress-related target for cancer antioxidant prevention. Elucidating the underlying interaction mechanisms between oxidative stress and Cav-1 is helpful for enhancing the preventive effects of antioxidants on cancer, for improving clinical outcomes of antioxidant-related therapeutics in cancer patients, and for developing Cav-1 targeted drugs. Herein, we summarize the available evidence of the roles of Cav-1 and oxidative stress in tumorigenesis and development and shed novel light on designing strategies for cancer prevention or treatment by utilizing the interaction mode between Cav-1 and oxidative stress.

Curcumin use in pulmonary diseases: State of the art and future perspectives

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a yellow pigment present in the spice turmeric (Curcuma longa). It has been used for centuries in Ayurveda (Indian traditional medicine) for the treatment of several diseases. Over the last several decades, the therapeutic properties of curcumin have slowly been elucidated. It has been shown that curcumin has pleiotropic effects, regulating transcription factors (e.g., NF-kB), cytokines (e.g., IL6, TNF-alpha), adhesion molecules (e.g., ICAM-1), and enzymes (e.g., MMPs) that play a major role in inflammation and cancerogenesis. These effects may be relevant for several pulmonary diseases that are characterized by abnormal inflammatory responses, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary fibrosis, and acute lung injury. Furthermore, some preliminary evidence suggests that curcumin may have a role in the treatment of lung cancer. The evidence for the use of curcumin in pulmonary disease is still sparse and has mostly been obtained using either in vitro or animal models. The most important issue with the use of curcumin in humans is its poor bioavailability, which makes it necessary to use adjuvants or curcumin nanoparticles or liposomes. The aim of this review is to summarize the available evidence on curcumin's effectiveness in pulmonary diseases, including lung cancer, and to provide our perspective on future research with curcumin so as to improve its pharmacological effects, as well as provide additional evidence of curcumin's efficacy in the treatment of pulmonary diseases.

Curcumin Attenuates Rapamycin-induced Cell Injury of Vascular Endothelial Cells

Although drug-eluting stents (DES) effectively improve the clinical efficacy of percutaneous coronary intervention, a high risk of late stent thrombosis and in-stent restenosis also exists after DES implantation. Anti-smooth muscle proliferation drugs, such as rapamycin, coating stents, not only inhibit the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells but also inhibit vascular endothelial cells and delay the reendothelialization. Therefore, the development of an ideal agent that protects vascular endothelial cells from rapamycin-eluting stents is of great importance for the next generation of DES. In this study, we demonstrated that rapamycin significantly inhibited the growth of rat aortic endothelial cells in both dose- and time-dependent manner in vitro. Cell apoptosis was increased and migration was decreased by rapamycin treatments in rat aortic endothelial cells in vitro. Surprisingly, treatment with curcumin, an active ingredient of turmeric, significantly reversed these detrimental effects of rapamycin. Moreover, curcumin increased the expression of vascular nitric oxide synthases (eNOS), which was decreased by rapamycin. Furthermore, caveolin-1, the inhibitor of eNOS, was decreased by curcumin. Knockdown of eNOS by small interfering RNA significantly abrogated the protective effects of curcumin. Taken together, our results suggest that curcumin antagonizes the detrimental effect of rapamycin on aortic endothelial cells in vitro through upregulating eNOS. Therefore, curcumin is a promising combined agent for the rescue of DES-induced reendothelialization delay.

Evaluation of Efficacy of Curcumin as an Add-on therapy in Patients of Bronchial Asthma

BACKGROUND

Bronchial asthma being a chronic inflammatory disease of airways has numerous treatment options none of which have disease modifying properties. Curcumin, a yellow dietary pigment has varied pharmacological activities, prominent among which is an anti-inflammatory activity which may be crucial in bronchial asthma as has been proved by various in vitro and in vivo animal studies.

AIMS

To determine the efficacy and safety of curcumin as an 'add-on' therapy in patients of bronchial asthma.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

This study was conducted on 77 patients of mild to moderate Bronchial asthma who had a documented positive bronchodilator reversibility test with ≥15% improvement in forced expiratory volume one second (FEV1).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy seven patients were recruited for the study and randomized into either of the two groups, but 17 patients were lost to follow up. Thus Group A - Receiving standard therapy for bronchial asthma for 30d (n=30) and Group B - Receiving standard therapy for bronchial asthma + Cap Curcumin 500mg BD daily for 30d (n=30). The predefined primary endpoints were clinical assessments of dyspnoea, wheezing, cough, chest tightness and nocturnal symptoms, change in the pre-bronchodilator FEV1 during the treatment and hematological improvement. The secondary end points were assessed by the change in the post-bronchodilator FEV1, C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration and incidence of adverse events.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

The data was analysed by SPSS 17.0 software using one-way ANOVA or Paired t-test.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

The results showed that curcumin capsules help in improving the airway obstruction which was evident by significant improvement in the mean FEV1 values. There was also significant improvement in the hematological parameters and absence of any clinically significant adverse events indicates dependable safety profile of curcumin capsules, though there was no apparent clinical efficacy. Therefore, it is concluded that curcumin is effective and safe as an add-on therapy for the treatment of bronchial asthma.