Abstract
Curcumin is a compound isolated from turmeric, a plant known for its medicinal use. Recently, there is a growing interest in the medical community in identifying novel, low-cost, safe molecules that may be used in the treatment of inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that curcumin may represent an effective agent in the treatment of several skin conditions. We examined the most relevant in vitro and in vivo studies published to date regarding the use of curcumin in inflammatory, neoplastic, and infectious skin diseases, providing information on its bioavailability and safety profile. Moreover, we performed a computational analysis about curcumin’s interaction towards the major enzymatic targets identified in the literature. Our results suggest that curcumin may represent a low-cost, well-tolerated, effective agent in the treatment of skin diseases. However, bypass of limitations of its in vivo use (low oral bioavailability, metabolism) is essential in order to conduct larger clinical trials that could confirm these observations. The possible use of curcumin in combination with traditional drugs and the formulations of novel delivery systems represent a very promising field for future applicative research.
Highlights
Curcumin is a bright yellow chemical compound isolated from Curcuma longa L. plants (Zingiberaceae) [1]
In this study, decreased levels of Phosphorylase kinase (PhK) in samples of plaques treated with curcumin 1% alcoholic gel as well as other traditional topical treatment were associated with decreased keratinocyte transferrin receptor (TRR) expression, severity of parakeratosis, and density of epidermal CD8+ T cells [71]
The authors observed a significant reduction in the levels of various inflammatory markers such as IL-8, hs-CRP CGRP in the patients receiving curcumin compared with placebo, and a concurrent reduction of substance p (p < 0.001) as well as significant elevations in serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase activities, further confirming the well-documented antioxidant activities of curcumin
Summary
Curcumin is a bright yellow chemical compound isolated from Curcuma longa L. (turmeric) plants (Zingiberaceae) [1]. Molecular docking studies describing the interaction of curcumin with molecular targets involved in the development of skin disorders are nowadays not available in literature. We complemented our data with original results, obtained through molecular docking analysis, regarding curcumin’s binding mode and Nutrients 2019, 11, 2169; doi:10.3390/nu11092169 www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients. Nutrients 2019, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW docking studies describing the interaction of curcumin with molecular targets involved in ofthe development of skin disorders are nowadays not available in literature. We complemented our data with original results, obtained through molecular docking analysis, regarding curcumin’s interaction towards major enzymatic indicated in this review as responsible several binding mode and six interaction towards targets, six major enzymatic targets, indicated in this for review as dermatological conditions.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
