Medicine Curcumin Research Articles

Black Phosphorus Nanosheet-Loaded Traditional Chinese Medicine Curcumin for Acute Rhinosinusitis Therapy and Its Mechanism

Black Phosphorus Nanosheet-Loaded Traditional Chinese Medicine Curcumin for Acute Rhinosinusitis Therapy and Its Mechanism

TURMERIC’S HEALING TOUCH: EXPLORING CURCUMIN’S MEDICAL RENAISSANCE

This comprehensive article delves into the multifaceted role of curcumin, a principal component of turmeric, in modern pharmaceuticals, drawing on its long-standing history in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine. The core of the article investigates curcumin’s emerging role as a formidable anti-aging agent. Curcumin’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties play a pivotal role in addressing age-related disorders. Its efficacy extends to neurodegenerative diseases, cardiometabolic disorders, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis, owing to its ability to modulate various cellular pathways, enhance drug susceptibility, inhibit cell proliferation, and foster apoptosis. Notably, curcumin enhances the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs, as evidenced in breast cancer treatments, by modulating drug resistance pathways. The article also emphasizes curcumin’s potential in managing diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and osteoporosis, highlighting its role in reducing cholesterol levels and improving vascular health, and bone metabolism. Confronting the challenge of curcumin’s low bioavailability, the article explores innovative biotechnological solutions, such as nano-delivery systems, which significantly enhance curcumin’s therapeutic potential. The harmonious blend of ancient knowledge and contemporary scientific research highlights the lasting significance of curcumin in medicine, setting the stage for its ongoing incorporation into modern healthcare practices.

Molecularly engineered dual-network photothermal hydrogel delivery system with enhanced mechanical properties, antibacterial ability and angiogenic effect for accelerating wound healing

Bacterial infection caused by trauma and chronic wounds in the most mobile area remains a challenge in clinic. It is difficult to achieve the synergistic effects of antibacterial capacity and skin regeneration using conventional therapeutic methods. Developing a multi-functional hydrogel dressing that can cope with the complex wound environment will contribute to the healing and therapeutic effects. In this work, a novel Cur@PAM/TA-Cu photothermal hydrogel delivery system was prepared by engineering tannic acid (TA) into covalent cross-linked polyacrylamide (PAM) on which the chelating tannic acid-copper metal–polyphenolic network (TA-Cu MPN) was imposed to form dual-crosslinked networks, and the natural medicine curcumin was loaded eventually. The molecularly engineered dual-crosslinked networks resulted in enhanced mechanical properties including bio-adhesion, tensile strength and self-healing, which made the hydrogel suitable for dynamic wound and various application scenarios. In addition, the excellent photothermal capacity, antioxidant effect and biocompatibility of the hydrogel were demonstrated. Notably, this curcumin loaded photothermal hydrogel exhibited superior antibacterial capacity (almost 100% killing ratio to E. coli and S. aureus) under 808 nm laser irradiation. Meanwhile, the in vivo wound healing experiment results revealed that the anti-inflammation and proangiogenic effect of Cur@PAM/TA-Cu hydrogel successfully shortened the healing time of wound and the reconstruction of skin structure and function. Thus, this dual-crosslinked multi-functional hydrogel delivery system is a promising wound dressing for accelerating wound healing.

Oral berberine ameliorates high-fat diet-induced obesity by activating TAS2Rs in tuft and endocrine cells in the gut

Background and aimsAlthough oral berberine, a natural compound extracted from the Chinese herbal medicine curcumin, has low bioavailability, it is still effective in suppressing obesity; however, the underlying mechanism is unclear. Berberine can bind to bitter-taste receptors (TAS2Rs) in intestinal endocrine secretin tumor (STC-1) cells to promote glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion. Notably, TAS2Rs also exist in the tuft cells of the gut. Therefore, this study aimed to explore whether the beneficial effect of oral berberine on obesity is dependent on bitter-taste signaling in the tuft cells of the gut. Methods and resultsStandard chow diet (SCD) or high-fat diet (HFD) was administered to C57BL/6 mice, with or without berberine (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, p. o.). The PLCβ2 inhibitor U73122 was used to verify whether the anti-obesity effect of berberine was dependent on the bitter-taste signaling pathway. In this study, we observed that the oral administration of berberine alleviated HFD-induced obesity in mice that U73122 partially inhibited. Both in vivo and ex vivo, berberine upregulated the release of GLP-1, promoted the proliferation of tuft cells and secretion of IL-25 in obesity via the TAS2R signaling pathway. ConclusionsOral berberine ameliorated HFD-induced obesity through the TAS2R-IL-25 signaling pathway in tuft cells in the gut. SignificanceWe identified and functionally characterized the TAS2Rs and Gα-gustducin/Gβ1γ13 signaling pathway utilized by tuft cells in response to oral berberine in obese mice and proposed a new mechanism underlying the anti-obesity effect of berberine.

Urazole-Au Nanocluster as a Novel Fluorescence Probe for Curcumin Determination and Mitochondria Imaging

Curcumin (CUR), a natural plant product, is widely used in food and medicine. The determination of CUR in medicine and food will be important to control the quality of CUR containing products. Herein, a new kind of fluorescence urazole-Au clusters (Urazole-AuNCs) has been synthesized successfully via one-step method using urazole and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as templates. The fluorescence emission intensity of Urazole-AuNCs at 473 nm is sensitive to the concentration of CUR. Therefore, a fluorescence method for the quantitative detection of CUR was built using Urazole-AuNCs as the fluorescence sensor with detection limit of 72 nM. This method was successfully used to quantitatively monitor CUR in curry powder; Urazole-AuNC-based fluorescence method can be a good technique for quantitative detection of CUR and differentiation of CUR from others. Furthermore, the novel low-toxic urazole-Au clusters could be used for mitochondrial targeted imaging of cancer cells.

THE BENEFITS OF CURCUMIN IN VARIOUS DISEASES AND THE EXTENSION OF ITS APPLICATION THROUGH VARIOUS TECHNOLOGICAL APPROACHES

Turmeric is a plant that is widely used as a spice, and is also imposed in Ayurveda and Chinese medicin as a healing remedy.Indian traditional medicine has successfully established the use of turmeric for wound healing, rheumatic disorders, gastrointestinal symptoms, deworming, rhinitis and as a cosmetic. Turmeric (Curcuma Longa L.) is a perennial, herbaceous plant belonging to the family of Ginger ( Zingiberaceae). The usable part is the rhizome, which is cylindrical, often branched, on the outside is brown, inside is intense yellow with bitter taste and strong aroma.In the review, we present contemporary studies exploring the nature of turmeric. Due to its polyphenolic chemical structure curcumin has an anti-inflammatory, cholecinetic and antioxidant effect. These characteristics determine the use of curcumin for various diseases - diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer's, asthma and heart failure, psoriasis, dermatitis, cancers, ophthalmic diseases, uroinfections, acne, vitiligo, etc. A limiting factor for the widespread use of curcumin in medicine is its physico-chemical instability, extremely low water solubility, poor bioavailability, rapid metabolism, which make it difficult to use it as a therapeutic agent. That is why in the present review we also present various technological approaches, such as: complexation with cyclodextrin; the use of adjuvants such as piperine that prevents glucuronidation and the rapid elimination of curcumin; use of liposomal curcumin; use of curcumin structural analogs; application of curcumin in complexes with phospholipids; use of nanoparticles; inclusion in emulsions. These methods aim at increasing the solubility, optimizing the absorption and the bioavailability of curcumin, leading to the expansion of the turmeric application areas and offering additional opportunities for targeted therapy or prophylaxis of specific diseases.In order to prevent various diseases in the future, it is necessary to increase the use of curcumin as an active agent both in the diet and in the form of concentrated sources such as tablets, capsules and other dosage forms.

Fatty liver mediated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α DNA methylation can be reversed by a methylation inhibitor and curcumin.

Our studies in vitro and in vivo aimed to investigate the influence of DNA methylation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) gene in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) pathogenesis and to observe whether the DNA methylation inhibitor 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-CdR) and the herbal medicine curcumin might reverse the effect both in vivo and in vitro. Steatotic hepatocyte model of cell lines and NAFLD rat models were established following protocols documented in previous studies. Subsequently, the models received 5-Aza-CdR and curcumin treatment. Morphological, histological and laboratory variables in each group were determined by routine methods, including PPAR-α mRNA expression by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), PPAR-α protein expression by Western blot and DNA methylation by pyrosequencing. The steatotic hepatocyte model and NAFLD rat model were completely established. The expressions of PPAR-α mRNA and protein were significantly lower in the steatotic hepatocyte and NAFLD rat model groups than in the controls (P < 0.05). The mean DNA methylation levels of the PPAR-α gene were significantly higher in the two steatotic model groups than in the controls, especially at several CpG sites (P < 0.05). 5-Aza-CdR and curcumin treatment significantly reversed the DNA methylation levels, increased PPAR-α mRNA and protein expression, and improved lipid accumulation in the two steatotic models (P < 0.05). DNA methylation at the PPAR-α gene is involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and is possibly reversible by 5-Aza-CdR and curcumin. Curcumin may be a promising candidate for NAFLD therapy.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and its major constituent (curcumin) as nontoxic and safe substances: Review.

Curcumin is the major constituent of turmeric (Curcuma longa). Turmeric has been widely used as a spice in foods and for therapeutic applications such as anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic, and antimicrobial activities. Turmeric and curcumin are nonmutagenic and nongenotoxic. Oral use of turmeric and curcumin did not have reproductive toxicity in animals at certain doses. Studies on human did not show toxic effects, and curcumin was safe at the dose of 6g/day orally for 4-7weeks. However, some adverse effects such as gastrointestinal upsets may occur. Moreover, oral bioavailable formulations of curcumin were safe for human at the dose of 500mg two times in a day for 30days, but there are still few trials and more studies are needed specially on nanoformulations and it should be discussed in a separate article. In addition, curcumin is known as a generally recognized as safe substance. This review discusses the safety and toxicity of turmeric and curcumin in medicine. Turmeric and curcumin are nontoxic for human especially in oral administration. Turmeric and curcumin are also safe in animals. They are nonmutagenic and are safe in pregnancy in animals but more studies in human are needed.

Curcumin-mediated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell sheets create a favorable immune microenvironment for adult full-thickness cutaneous wound healing

BackgroundAdult full-thickness cutaneous wound repair suffers from an imbalanced immune response, leading to nonfunctional reconstructed tissue and fibrosis. Although various treatments have been reported, the immune-mediated tissue regeneration driven by biomaterial offers an attractive regenerative strategy for damaged tissue repair.MethodsIn this research, we investigated a specific bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) sheet that was induced by the Traditional Chinese Medicine curcumin (CS-C) and its immunomodulatory effects on wound repair. Comparisons were made with the BMSC sheet induced without curcumin (CS-N) and control (saline).ResultsIn vitro cultured BMSC sheets (CS-C) showed that curcumin promoted the proliferation of BMSCs and modified the features of produced extracellular matrix (ECM) secreted by BMSCs, especially the contents of ECM structural proteins such as fibronectin (FN) and collagen I and III, as well as the ratio of collagen III/I. Two-photon fluorescence (TPF) and second-harmonic generation (SHG) imaging of mouse implantation revealed superior engraftment of BMSCs, maintained for 35 days in the CS-C group. Most importantly, CS-C created a favorable immune microenvironment. The chemokine stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1) was abundantly produced by CS-C, thus facilitating a mass migration of leukocytes from which significantly increased expression of signature TH1 cells (interferon gamma) and M1 macrophages (tumor necrosis factor alpha) genes were confirmed at 7 days post-operation. The number of TH1 cells and associated pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages subsequently decreased sharply after 14 days post-operation, suggesting a rapid type I immune regression. Furthermore, the CS-C group showed an increased trend towards M2 macrophage polarization in the early phase. CS-C led to an epidermal thickness and collagen deposition that was closer to that of normal skin.ConclusionsCurcumin has a good regulatory effect on BMSCs and this promising CS-C biomaterial creates a pro-regenerative immune microenvironment for cutaneous wound healing.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Curcumin Sensitizes Human Colon Cancer to Radiation by Altering the Expression of DNA Repair-related Genes.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the radio-sensitizing efficacy of curcumin, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) on colon cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Human colon cancer HT-29 cells were treated with curcumin (2.5 μM), irradiation (10 Gy) and the combination of irradiation and curcumin. Cell proliferation was assessed using the MTT assay. Apoptotic cells were detected by Annexin V-PE/7-AAD analysis. PCR was performed to determine differential-expression profiling of 95 DNA-repair genes in irradiated cells and cells treated with both irradiation and curcumin. Differentially-expressed genes were confirmed by Western blotting. In vivo radio-sensitizing efficacy of curcumin was assessed in a xenograft mouse model of HT-29 colon cancer. Curcumin was administrated daily by intraperitoneal injection at 20 mg/kg/dose. Mice received irradiation (10 Gy) twice weekly. Apoptosis of the cancer cells following treatment was determined by TUNEL staining. Irradiation induced proliferation inhibition and apoptosis of HT-29 cells in vitro. Concurrent curcumin treatment sensitized the HT-29 tumor to irradiation (p<0.01). DNA repair-related genes CCNH and XRCC5 were upregulated and LIG4 and PNKP downregulated by the combination of curcumin and irradiation compared with irradiation alone (p<0.05). Combined treatment of curcumin and irradiation resulted in a significantly greater tumor-growth inhibition and apoptosis compared to irradiation treatment alone (p<0.01). Curcumin sensitizes human colon cancer in vitro and in vivo to radiation. Downregulation of LIG4 and PNKP and upregulation of XRCC5 and CCNH DNA-repair-related genes were involved in the radio-sensitizing efficacy of curcumin in colon cancer.

Evaluasi Kadar Kurkumin dalam Jamu Tradisional Kunir Asam yang Dijual di Pasar Kota Gede Bulan Februari 2015

Javanese people often consume herbs medicine kunir asam as dismenorea. One of the active substance traditional herbs kunir asam is curcumin. The purpose of the research to know the levels of curcumin in traditional herbs kunir asam medicine market Kota Gede and look for consistency. Curcumin assay conducted qualitative and quantitative tests TLC densitometry method. A total of 50.0 ml herbal medicine kunir asam extraction with 25.0 ml of chloroform, evaporated to dryness, then dissolved in 5.0 ml of 96% ethanol. 5 μl of sample and standard solutions spotted on the plates of silica gel 60 F 254 that has been activated, the mobile phase was developed with chloroform : ethanol : glacial acetic acid (94 : 5: 1), were analyzed using densitometry wavelength of 425 nm. Curcumin levels is calculated by inputting AUC data into standard curve linear regression equation curcumin. Data analysis was performed followed normality test Kolmogorov- Smirnov test, Levene test of homogeneity followed by Post Hoc / Test LSD (Least Significant Difference) or Mann Whitney. Results of the analysis of four samples of traditional herbal medicine curcumin kunir asam Kota Gede Yogyakarta market contain high levels of curcumin on average on the first day, the second and third row are sampled A 0.00435%, 0.00593%, 0.00857%; sample B 0.00820%, 0.00866%, 0.01061%; sample C 0.01172%, 0.0922%, 0.01089%; sample D 0.00833%, 0.00884% and 0.01176%. Statistical analysis of the content of traditional herbal medicine curcumin turmeric acid showed that the levels are not consistent in the three days of the examination. Curcumin levels in all four samples also showed significant variations.

FLLL31, a derivative of curcumin, attenuates airway inflammation in a multi-allergen challenged mouse model

Signal transducer and activator of transcription protein 3 (STAT3), one of the major regulators of inflammation, plays multiple roles in cellular transcription, differentiation, proliferation, and survival in human diseases. Dysregulation of STAT3 is related to the severe airway inflammation associated with asthma. FLLL31 is a newly developed compound based on the herbal medicine curcumin, which specifically suppresses the activation of STAT3. However, the function of FLLL31 on inflammatory diseases, especially on the regulation of airway inflammation, has not been fully studied. In our prior investigations, we developed a mouse model that was challenged with a mixture of DRA allergens (including house dust mite, ragweed, and Aspergillums species) to mimic the severe airway inflammation observed in human patients. In this study, we performed a series of experiments on the inflammatory regulation activities of FLLL31 in both in vitro cultured cells and our in vivo DRA-challenged mouse model. Our results show that FLLL31 exhibits anti-inflammatory effects on macrophage activation, lymphocyte differentiation, and pro-inflammatory factor production. Importantly, FLLL31 significantly inhibited airway inflammation and recruitment of inflammatory cells in the DRA-challenged mouse model. Based on these results, we conclude that FLLL31 is a potential therapeutic agent that can be used against severe airway inflammation diseases.

Curcumin and its Derivatives: Their Application in Neuropharmacology and Neuroscience in the 21st Century

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a polyphenol extracted from the plant Curcuma longa, is widely used in Southeast Asia, China and India in food preparation and for medicinal purposes. Since the second half of the last century, this traditional medicine has attracted the attention of scientists from multiple disciplines to elucidate its pharmacological properties. Of significant interest is curcumin’s role to treat neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD) and malignancy. These diseases all share an inflammatory basis, involving increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and oxidative damage to lipids, nucleic acids and proteins. The therapeutic benefits of curcumin for these neurodegenerative diseases appear multifactorial via regulation of transcription factors, cytokines and enzymes associated with (Nuclear factor kappa beta) NFκB activity. This review describes the historical use of curcumin in medicine, its chemistry, stability and biological activities, including curcumin's anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The review further discusses the pharmacology of curcumin and provides new perspectives on its therapeutic potential and limitations. Especially, the review focuses in detail on the effectiveness of curcumin and its mechanism of actions in treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases and brain malignancies.

Curcumin and its derivatives: their application in neuropharmacology and neuroscience in the 21st century.

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a polyphenol extracted from the plant Curcuma longa, is widely used in Southeast Asia, China and India in food preparation and for medicinal purposes. Since the second half of the last century, this traditional medicine has attracted the attention of scientists from multiple disciplines to elucidate its pharmacological properties. Of significant interest is curcumin's role to treat neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD) and malignancy. These diseases all share an inflammatory basis, involving increased cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and oxidative damage to lipids, nucleic acids and proteins. The therapeutic benefits of curcumin for these neurodegenerative diseases appear multifactorial via regulation of transcription factors, cytokines and enzymes associated with (Nuclear factor kappa beta) NFκB activity. This review describes the historical use of curcumin in medicine, its chemistry, stability and biological activities, including curcumin's anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The review further discusses the pharmacology of curcumin and provides new perspectives on its therapeutic potential and limitations. Especially, the review focuses in detail on the effectiveness of curcumin and its mechanism of actions in treating neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and brain malignancies.

Oral curcumin in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris: A prospective clinical trial

There is a need for safe, inexpensive, and effective psoriasis therapies. Many anecdotal accounts of patients' successful treatment with the alternative medicine curcumin exist. We sought to determine the safety and efficacy of oral curcumin in patients with psoriasis. We conducted a phase II, open-label, Simon's two-stage trial of 4.5 g/d of oral curcuminoid C3 complex in patients with plaque psoriasis. End points included improvement in Physicians Global Assessment score, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score, and safety end points throughout the study. The intention-to-treat analysis response rate was 16.7% (95% confidence interval: 2%, 48%) and both responders achieved a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 75 score. There were no study-related adverse events that necessitated participant withdrawal. Small sample size and lack of placebo group are limitations. The response rate was low and possibly caused by a placebo effect or the natural history of psoriasis. Large placebo-controlled studies are necessary before recommending oral curcumin as a psoriasis treatment.