Abstract
Peripheral neuropathies (PN) can be triggered after metabolic diseases, traumatic peripheral nerve injury, genetic mutations, toxic substances, and/or inflammation. PN is a major clinical problem, affecting many patients and with few effective therapeutics. Recently, interest in natural dietary compounds, such as polyphenols, in human health has led to a great deal of research, especially in PN. Curcumin is a polyphenol extracted from the root of Curcuma longa. This molecule has long been used in Asian medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. However, like numerous polyphenols, curcumin has a very low bioavailability and a very fast metabolism. This review addresses multiple aspects of curcumin in PN, including bioavailability issues, new formulations, observations in animal behavioral tests, electrophysiological, histological, and molecular aspects, and clinical trials published to date. The, review covers in vitro and in vivo studies, with a special focus on the molecular mechanisms of curcumin (anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-endoplasmic reticulum stress (anti-ER-stress), neuroprotection, and glial protection). This review provides for the first time an overview of curcumin in the treatment of PN. Finally, because PN are associated with numerous pathologies (e.g., cancers, diabetes, addiction, inflammatory disease...), this review is likely to interest a large audience.
Highlights
Peripheral neuropathies (PN) can be inherited or acquired as a result of a pathological process or trauma [1]
Several studies propose the use of new formulations of curcumin such as emulsions or nanoparticles to improve systemic bioavailability
These approaches are very interesting in the context of several PN in which nerves are affected
Summary
Peripheral neuropathies (PN) can be inherited or acquired as a result of a pathological process or trauma [1]. In the case of sensory fiber damage, symptoms are dependent on the caliber and size of the nerve fibers. Interest in the role of dietary antioxidants, such as polyphenols, in human health has led to a great deal of research on their potential as possible treatment of many inflammatory diseases. Among these polyphenols, curcumin which has long been used in traditional Asian cuisine and medicine, is an attractive molecule. Over the past 50 years, it has been shown that most of the effects of Curcuma longa are primarily due to curcumin, with potential beneficial properties against diabetes, allergies, arthritis, neuropathies, and other chronic diseases [11]. This review provides an update that is focused on pre-clinical and clinical studies investigating the use of curcumin in the treatment of PN and evaluating future therapeutic opportunities
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