Doses Of Curcumin Research Articles

Effects of curcumin on neurobehavior and oxidative stress in hippocampus of rats exposed to manganese

Objective: To establish the animal model of subchronic manganism, and to explore the effect of manganese on neurofunction of rats and the protective effect of curcumin on neurotoxicity of manganism rats. Methods: From July to December 2019, 80 SPF male SD rats were divided into 8 groups according to body weight by random number table method, which were blank control group, low, middle and high dose manganese exposure group, low, middle and high dose curcumin antagonistic group and curcumin group, with 10 rats in each group. The low, middle and high dose manganese groups were given intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg MnCl(2)·4H(2)O respectively. The low, middle and high dose curcumin antagonistic groups were given 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg curcumin orally along with 15 mg/kg MnCl(2)·4H(2)O intraperitoneal injection. Curcumin group was given 400 mg/kg curcumin orally. The rats were exposed to 5 days a week, once a day for 16 weeks. After exposure, neurobehavioral tests (balance beam test, Morris water maze, passive avoidance test) were carried out in each group. Hippocampus tissues were taken for pathological examination and oxidative stress indexes were detected. Results: The balance beam test results showed that, compared with the blank control group, the scores of balance beam of the rats in the middle and high dose manganese exposure groups increased (P<0.05) . Compared with the high dose manganese exposure group, the balance beam scores of the low, middle and high dose curcumin antagonistic groups were decreased (P<0.05) .The results of Morris water maze showed that, compared with the blank control group, the escape latency of middle and high dose manganese exposure groups was prolonged from the third day (P<0.05) , and the average number of crossing the platform area of each manganese exposure group was decreased (P<0.05) .Compared with the high dose manganese exposure group, the escape latency of the middle and high dose curcumin antagonistic groups was shortened (P<0.05) , and the average number of crossing the original platform was increased (P<0.05) . The results of passive avoidance test show that, compared with the blank control group, the number of errors were increased in middle and high dose manganese exposure groups (P<0.05) . Compared with the high dose manganese exposure group, the number of errors in the passive avoidance test in the middle and high dose curcumin antagonistic groups were decreased (P<0.05) . Pathological examination showed that the rats treated with manganses had different degrees of degeneration and necrosis of nerve cells, and the structure of nerve cells was blurred and the number of nerve cells decreased. The above phenomena were improved after curcumin antagonism. The results of oxidative stress index showed that, compared with blank control group, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) decreased and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) increased in the hippocampus of rats exposed to middle and high dose of manganese (P<0.05) . Compared with the high dose manganese exposure group, the SOD activity increased and the MDA content decreased in the middle and high dose antagonist group (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Subchronic manganese exposure can reduce the balance function, learning and memory ability of rats, and damage the hippocampal nerve cells in oxidative stress state. Curcumin can improve the balance function and learning and memory ability of rats with manganese poisoning, improve the hippocampal nerve damage caused by manganese exposure, and has a certain protective effect on manganese induced neurotoxicity.

Protective effects of dietary curcumin and astaxanthin against heat-induced ROS production and skeletal muscle injury in male and female C57BL/6J mice

AimsThis study aimed to: 1) investigate sex differences in heat-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, ROS production, and skeletal muscle injury in mice; 2) evaluate whether curcumin and astaxanthin, alone or together, would prevent those heat-induced changes. Main methodsMale and female C57BL/6J mice were treated with curcumin and astaxanthin for 10 days, then exposed to 39.5 °C heat for up to 3 h. Heat-induced hyperthermia, changes in mitochondrial morphology and function, and oxidative damage to skeletal muscle were evaluated. Key findingsAlthough female mice had a slightly higher basal core body temperature (Tc) than male mice, peak Tc during heat exposure was significantly lower in females than in males. Heat increased ROS levels in skeletal muscle in both sexes; interestingly, the increases in ROS were greater in females than in males. Despite the above-mentioned differences, heat induced similar levels of mitochondrial fragmentation and membrane potential depolarization, caspase 3/7 activation, and injury in male and female skeletal muscle. Individual treatment of curcumin or astaxanthin did not affect basal and peak Tc but prevented heat-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, ROS increases, and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, a low-dose combination of curcumin and astaxanthin, which individually showed no effect, reduced the heat-induced oxidative damage to skeletal muscle. SignificanceBoth male and female mice can develop mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in skeletal muscle when exposed to heat stress. High doses of either curcumin or astaxanthin limit heat-induced skeletal muscle injury, but a low-dose combination of these ingredients may increase their efficacy.

Effect of curcumin, and nano-curcumin on sperm function in varicocele rat model.

Varicocele is one of the most important causes of infertility in men which gradually leads to testicular dysfunction. Testicular heat stress-induced oxidative stress is considered the main cause of pathology in these individuals. In this study, the effects of curcumin and nano-curcumin, as natural antioxidants, were investigated on spermatogenesis and sperm function in varicocele-induced rats. Seventy Wistar rats were randomly divided into seven groups; sham, control, varicocele, varicocele + curcumin 50mg, varicocele + curcumin 100mg, varicocele + nano-curcumin 4mg and varicocele + nano-curcumin 8mg. After 2months of antioxidant therapy, all the rats were sacrificed. The results demonstrated that the mean sperm concentration and motility were significantly lower while the mean of abnormal morphology, lipid peroxidation, intracytoplasmic ROS and DNA damage was significantly higher in varicocelised rats compared to control and sham groups (p<.05). Both doses of curcumin and also nano-curcumin were significantly effective in improving the aforementioned parameters except for abnormal sperm morphology, and motility where nano-curcumin (4mg) was significantly more effective than other groups (p<.05). The results of the current study suggest the application of nano-curcumin is more preferable to curcumin in infertile individuals with varicocele.

Curcumin represses lipid accumulation through inhibiting ERK1/2-PPAR-γ signaling pathway and triggering apoptosis in porcine subcutaneous preadipocytes.

ObjectiveExcessive lipid accumulation in adipocytes results in prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Curcumin (CUR), a naturally phenolic active ingredient, has been shown to have lipid-lowering effects. However, its underlying mechanisms have remained largely unknown. Therefore, the study aims to determine the effect of CUR on cellular lipid accumulation in porcine subcutaneous preadipocytes (PSPA) and to clarify novel mechanisms.MethodsThe PSPA were cultured and treated with or without CUR. Both cell counting Kit-8 and lactate dehydrogenase release assays were used to examine cytotoxicity. Intracellular lipid contents were measured by oil-red-o staining extraction and triglyceride quantification. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-nick end labelling assay. Adipogenic and apoptosis genes were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.ResultsThe CUR dose-dependently reduced the proliferation and lipid accumulation of PSPA. Noncytotoxic doses of CUR (10 to 20 μM) significantly inhibited extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation and expression of adipogenic genes peroxisome proliferation-activity receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, adipocyte protein-2, glucose transporter-4 as well as key lipogenic enzymes fatty acid synthase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, while ERK1/2 activation significantly reversed CUR-reduced lipid accumulation by increasing PPAR-γ. Furthermore, compared with differentiation induced media treated cells, higher dose of CUR (30 μM) significantly decreased the expression of AKT and B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), while increased the expression of BCL-2-associated X (BAX) and the BAX/BCL-2 expression ratio, suggesting triggered apoptosis by inactivating AKT and increasing BAX/BCL-2 ratio and Caspase-3 expression. Moreover, AKT activation significantly rescued CUR inhibiting lipid accumulation via repressing apoptosis.ConclusionThese results demonstrate that CUR is capable of suppressing differentiation by inhibiting ERK1/2-PPAR-γ signaling pathway and triggering apoptosis via decreasing AKT and subsequently increasing BAX/BCL-2 ratio and Caspase-3, suggesting that CUR provides an important method for the reduction of porcine body fat, as well as the prevention and treatment of human obesity.

A Nutraceutical approach to enhance Reproductive longevity and Ovarian health using Curcuma longa in wistar Rats

Aging is associated with various physiological, pathological and psychosocial alterations. This study evaluates the benefits of Curcumin by assessing reproductive aging indices and ovarian health in Wistar rats. Laboratory bred adult rats selected for the experiment. After 12 months of follow-up, the animals were grouped into Normal control rats, Sham control group, Curcumin-1(100 mg/kg body weight), Curcumin-2(200 mg/kg body weight) and Curcumin-3 (400 mg/kg body weight). For the duration of six months Curcumin dosage was administered. The experimental parameters included estrous cycle and histological evaluation of ovarian follicles. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. The percentage of primordial follicles was significantly more (p&lt;0.001) in all the groups when compared with other types of follicles. Prolonged increase (p=0.0001) in the Diestrus phase in animals treated with different dosages of Curcumin. The current study concludes that Curcumin, an active component of Curcuma longa contributes to the anti-aging properties.

Curcumin and Radiotherapy Exert Synergistic Anti-Glioma Effect In Vitro.

Curcumin, a bioactive polyphenol, is known to have anticancer properties. In this study, the effectiveness of curcumin pretreatment as a strategy for radio-sensitizing glioblastoma cell lines was explored. For this, U87 and T98 cells were treated with curcumin, exposed to 2 Gy or 4 Gy of irradiation, and the combined effect was compared to the antiproliferative effect of each agent when given individually. Cell viability and proliferation were evaluated with the trypan blue exclusion assay and the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The synergistic effects of the combination treatment were analyzed with CompuSyn software. To examine how the co-treatment affected different phases of cell-cycle progression, a cell-cycle analysis via flow cytometry was performed. Treatment with curcumin and radiation significantly reduced cell viability in both U87 and T98 cell lines. The combination treatment arrested both cell lines at the G2/M phase to a higher extent than radiation or curcumin treatment alone. The synergistic effect of curcumin when combined with temozolomide resulted in increased tumor cell death. Our results demonstrate for the first time that low doses of curcumin and irradiation exhibit a strong synergistic anti-proliferative effect on glioblastoma cells in vitro. Therefore, this combination may represent an innovative and promising strategy for the treatment of glioblastoma, and further studies are needed to fully understand the molecular mechanism underlying this effect.

Efficacy of a Chitosan-curcumin Mixture in Treating Indomethacininduced Acute Gastric Ulcer in Rats.

Curcumin is claimed as a potent protectant against Gastric Ulcer (GU) induced by strong necrotizing agents, including NSAIDs through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective activities. However, it was found to exert opposite effects to either delay ulcer healing or exacerbate ulcer inflammation through some curative mechanisms differently modified by curcumin dosage. Its ability to inhibit the expression of COX-2 may also delay the healing of NSAIDs-induced GU. Recently, a topical chitosan-curcumin solution has been found to be a safe and potential alternative agent in treating oral ulcer. Therefore, an oral chitosan-curcumin mixture was developed and determined for its efficacy in treating NSAIDs-induced GU in the rat. A chitosan (150 mg)-curcumin (20 mg) mixture with optimal gastric pH was developed. Indomethacin (30 mg/kg) was given orally to the rat and test preparations were administered orally at 5 h later and then every 24 h for two consecutive days. The sum of all gastric ulcerated areas (mm2) for each stomach was used as ulcer index. Gastric pro-inflammatory mediators and cytoprotective factors were determined. An oral administration of a chitosan-curcumin mixture exerted a superior efficacy than curcumin, chitosan or lansoprazole (a standard antiulcer agent) in healing indomethacin-induced GU. It was revealed that the mixture exhibited the highest anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and gastric mucus producing activities including the high potency in down-regulating pro-inflammatory COX-2 and iNOS expression but up-regulating cytoprotective COX-1, nNOS and eNOS expression. The present findings indicated the benefit of a chitosan-curcumin mixture as a potential alternative agent in treating NSAIDs-induced gastric ulcers.

Curcumin Loaded Dendrimers Specifically Reduce Viability of Glioblastoma Cell Lines.

Glioblastoma (GB) is a deadly and aggressive cancer of the CNS. Even with extensive resection and chemoradiotherapy, patient survival is still only 15 months. To maintain growth and proliferation, cancer cells require a high oxidative state. Curcumin, a well-known anti-inflammatory antioxidant, is a potential candidate for treatment of GB. To facilitate efficient delivery of therapeutic doses of curcumin into cells, we encapsulated the drug in surface-modified polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers. We studied the in vitro effectiveness of a traditional PAMAM dendrimer (100% amine surface, G4 NH2), surface-modified dendrimer (10% amine and 90% hydroxyl-G4 90/10-Cys), and curcumin (Cur)-encapsulated dendrimer (G4 90/10-Cys-Cur) on three species of glioblastoma cell lines: mouse-GL261, rat-F98, and human-U87. Using an MTT assay for cell viability, we found that G4 90/10-Cys-Cur reduced viability of all three glioblastoma cell lines compared to non-cancerous control cells. Under similar conditions, unencapsulated curcumin was not effective, while the non-modified dendrimer (G4 NH2) caused significant death of both cancerous and normal cells. By harnessing and optimizing the components of PAMAM dendrimers, we are providing a promising new route for delivering cancer therapeutics. Our results with curcumin suggest that antioxidants are good candidates for treating glioblastoma.

S2867 Turmeric-Induced Hepatitis

Introduction: Dietary supplementation use has been on an exponential rise for the past few years. Turmeric is one of the most used, with curcumin being its major active ingredient. Recently, cases of turmeric induced autoimmune hepatitis as well as herbal induced liver injury (HILI) have been documented. We present a case of turmeric induced hepatotoxicity in a 64-year-old female. Case Description/Methods: A 64-year-old female with a history of hypertension, presents with jaundice and abdominal discomfort. Vitals were normal. Exam showed scleral icterus with an unremarkable abdominal exam. Lab findings revealed a normal CBC, INR, and a negative blood alcohol level, a total bilirubin of 13.6 mg/dl with a direct bilirubin of 9.2 mg/dl, an ALP of 248 IUnits/L, a GGT of 616 Units/L, an AST of 2789 IUnits/L, and an ALT of 3296 IUnits/L. Hepatitis panel with HEV were negative. ANA, AMA, ASMA, tTg antibody, Ig levels, TSH, and T4 were all negative or within normal limits. Patient had a normal iron saturation, negative ceruloplasmin, Tylenol and ASA levels. COVID19 PCR test was negative. CT abdomen/pelvis was non-diagnostic. An EGD/EUS/ERCP showed a mildly thickened gallbladder wall. Liver biopsy showed portal and lobular hepatitis with spotty necrosis, without evidence of an autoimmune process, suggesting a drug induced liver injury. Patient then admitted to the use of turmeric in the past 3-4 weeks. Turmeric was discontinued and patient’s lab values normalized within 1 month. Discussion: Turmeric has been used for thousands of years as a spice, and has been linked to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. Clinical studies have popularized its use for patients with immune disorders such as autoimmune thyroiditis, and rheumatoid arthritis, despite the associated risk of autoimmune hepatitis in such patients. Curcumin is the major active ingredient in turmeric, however when taken alone, it has a poor bioavailability, with extensive 1st pass metabolism. Turmeric contains Piperine (a black pepper extract), that augments and increases curcumin doses up to 2000-fold by inhibiting hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes. Multiple RCTs have studied the safety of curcumin showing minimal side effects. In 2013, HILI accounted for 20% of drug-induced liver injury cases. Liver enzymes resolve within 1 month of discontinuation. Due to turmeric’s possible increased risk for hepatotoxicity, clinicians should highlight this to their patients and make them aware of the potential risks that exist when using turmeric.Figure 1.: 400x H&E stain): The portal areas are expanded by predominantly lymphocytic inflammation with scattered eosinophils and rare plasma cells. Figure 2 (400 x PAS): There is spotty necrosis. There is no steatosis, ballooned hepatocytes, granulomas, or viropathic changes. Figure 3 (400x): The Reticulum stain shows a mild increase in portal/periportal fibrosis.Table 1.: RUCAM (Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method) Score: Method for detecting drug-induced liver injury or herb-induced liver/hepatocellular injury (modified) ALT: Alanine Transaminase, AST: Aspartate Transaminase, EBV: Epstein-Barr Virus, HSV: Herpes Simplex Virus, VZV: Varicella-Zoster Virus, PSC: Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis.

Pengaruh Pemberian Curcumin Terhadap Perbaikan Fungsi Hepar Tikus Putih (Rattus Novergicus) yang diinduksi Parasetamol Dosis Tinggi

Paracetamol has analgesic properties comparable to NSAIDs, but paracetamol have minimal side effects. Paracetamol is metabolized via sulfation and glucuronidation conjugation which is then excreted in the urine. A small part of the paracetamol has been changed to NAPQI. NAPQI will be detoxified by gluthathione. In high doses, there in an increase in NAPQI and a decrease in glutathione levels that results in oxidative stress and liver cell necrosis. Curcumin is often used as a traditional medicine to treat liver disease where it contains phenolic groups capable to scavenge free radicals. Curcumin extract can improve cellular responses to oxidative stress such as increasing the expression of Nrf2, SOD, and gluthathione. The purpose of this research was to know the effect of curcumin on the improvement of liver function in white rats (Rattus novergicus) induced by high dose paracetamol. The design of this research was a descriptive research using literature studies from at least 15 international journals indexed by Scimago or national journals indexed by Sinta published in 2015-2020. Based on the journals used in this research, giving curcumin at a dose of 200 mg/kg BW/day for 2 weeks was effective in significantly increasing gluthathione levels in rats receiving high dose paracetamol. Giving curcumin at a dose of 100 mg/kg BW/day for 7 days can reduce AST and ALT activity in rats receiving high dose paracetamol, but the dose of curcumin that was more effective in reducing AST and ALT activity was 200 mg/kg BW/day for 2 weeks. This is because of curcumin which functions as a hepatoprotector that bind directly to the toxic metabolite of paracetamol, thereby reducing the use of glutathione and quench free radicals, so that oxidative stress in the liver decreased and gluthathione levels increased, AST and ALT activity decreased.

Curcumin Reduces Colorectal Cancer Cell Proliferation and Migration and Slows In Vivo Growth of Liver Metastases in Rats.

Background: New therapeutic approaches are an essential need for patients suffering from colorectal cancer liver metastases. Curcumin, a well-known plant-derived polyphenol, has been shown to play a role in the modulation of multiple signaling pathways involved in the development and progression of certain cancer cells in vitro. This study aims to assess the anti-tumor effect of curcumin on CC531 colorectal cancer cells, both in vitro and in vivo. Methods: On CC531 cultures, the cell viability and cell migration capacity were analyzed (wound healing test) 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment with curcumin (15, 20, 25, or 30 µM). Additionally, in WAG/RijHsd tumor-bearing rats, the total and individual liver lobe tumor volume was quantified in untreated and curcumin-treated animals (200 mg/kg/day, oral). Furthermore, serum enzyme measurements (GOT, GPT, glucose, bilirubin, etc.) were carried out to assess the possible effects on the liver function. Results: In vitro studies showed curcumin’s greatest effects 48h after application, when all of the tested doses reduced cell proliferation by more than 30%. At 72 h, the highest doses of curcumin (25 and 30 µM) reduced cell viability to less than 50%. The wound healing test also showed that curcumin inhibits migration capacity. In vivo, curcumin slowed down the tumor volume of liver implants by 5.6-fold (7.98 ± 1.45 vs. 1.41 ± 1.33; p > 0.0001). Conclusions: Curcumin has shown an anti-tumor effect against liver implants from colorectal cancer, both in vitro and in vivo, in this experimental model.

Effect of curcumin on the non-alcoholic steatohepatitis via inhibiting the M1 polarization of macrophages.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a global medical problem and macrophages' activation is closely related to the pathogenesis of NASH. Curcumin is a polyphenol from turmeric with significant anti-inflammatory activity. The objective of present study was to observe the effect of curcumin on macrophages' activation and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in NASH. Hematoxylin and eosin and TUNEL staining were used to observe the hepatic function. RT-PCR was conducted to evaluate the hepatic mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Flow cytometry was adopted to detect the M1 polarization of macrophages. The RAW264.7 macrophage was pretreated with different doses of curcumin, and then lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were given to activate the M1 macrophage. The activation ratio of M1 macrophage was observed by flow cytometry, and IL-1β and TNF-α expression was detected by RT-PCR and ELISA. After treatment with curcumin, the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), the mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-1β, and M1 polarization of macrophages were significantly decreased. Hematoxylin and eosin and TUNEL staining showed that inflammation and apoptosis in the liver were improved. What is more, curcumin can effectively inhibit M1 macrophage activation induced by lipopolysaccharide and IFN-γ and reduce the secretion of IL-1β and TNF-α. Curcumin can effectively improve NASH and reduce hepatic cell necrosis by inhibiting the M1 polarization of macrophages and the secretion of inflammatory factors.

Antioxidant Effect of Curcumin on the Prevention of Oxidative Damage to the Cochlea in an Ototoxic Rat Model Based on Malondialdehyde Expression.

Introduction Aminoglycoside, as an antimicrobial medication, also has side-effects on the inner ears, bringing about hearing disorders. Curcumin has been proven to be a strong scavenger against various reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the increase in ROS production is considered to play an important role in the process of hearing disorder. Objective To prove that curcumin is an effective antioxidant to prevent cochlear damage based on malondialdehyde (MDA) expression. Methods The present research used 32 Rattus norvegicus , of the Wistar lineage, randomly divided into 8 groups: negative control, ototoxic control (a single dose of 40 mg/ml of gentamicin via intratympanic injection), 2 groups submitted to ototoxic control + curcumin treatment (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg), 2 groups who iunderwent ototoxic control + curcumin treatment for 7 days, and two groups submitted to curcumin treatment as prevention for 3 days + ototoxic induction. Results The results showed that the lowest dosage of curcumin (100 mg/kg) could decrease MDA expression on the cochlear fibroblastic wall of the ototoxic model; however using greater doses of curcumin (200 mg/kg) for 7 days would provide a better effect. Curcumin could also significantly decrease MDA expression when it was administered during the preototoxic exposure. Conclusion Curcumin can be used as a therapy for ototoxic prevention based on the decrease in MDA expression.

Chitosan-Curcumin Coating Characterization on Cobalt-Chrome Surface by 100 kHz Ultrasonic Spray Method

Curcumin possesses anticoagulant, anti-proliferative, and anti-inflammatory properties and is applicable to prevent in-stent restenosis. This research investigated curcumin coating with biodegradable chitosan polymer as a drug carrier universally made on Co-Cr L605 surface by the ultrasonic spray method. Three curcumin doses were implemented: low dose (150 μg of curcumin per sample), medium dose (300 μg of curcumin per sample), and high dose (480 μg of curcumin per sample). The metal surface morphologies before and after coating were examined by using a stylus profilometer and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The result showed that coating films were formed fine and uniform with an average roughness level below 0.2 μm. The coating film structure characterization by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed that curcumin absorption spectra still occurred in the chitosan-curcumin coating, although chitosan strong absorption spectra were dominant.

Clinical advances in multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis treatment: A review

Neurodegenerative diseases are clinical manifestations that depend on the anatomy and function of the affected areas. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are some of these diseases, but they are also autoimmune and their etiology makes treatments limited and of little therapeutic efficacy. Currently, some clinical research advances can be pillars for the development of new treatments for these diseases. Therefore, the objective of this review is to describe the latest clinical advances in ALS and MS as well as their results in clinical recovery in randomized clinical trials, meta-analyzes, and full-text systematic reviews conducted in humans and rats, published in English and Spanish in the last 5 years, using PubMed, SciELO, and Cochrane. For clinical trials to be included, they had to provide a detailed breakdown of randomization methods, diagnostic criteria, intervention details, and efficacy evaluation. The results show that, so far, available medications, like riluzole and edaravone for ALS and fingolimod, dimethyl fumarate, and IFN β-1b for MS, only prolong the life of the patient. Among these drugs are also glutamate neurotransmitter antagonists, immunomodulators and even antioxidants; each of them showed significant improvement in the reviewed trials. Similarly, other non-pharmaceutical treatments, as the 600-mg dose of curcumin in the diet for ALS, showed improvement of the patients’ conditions. Regarding MS, more studies should be carried out on autotransplantation with adiposederived mesenchymal stem cells (AdMSCs) to investigate the potential therapeutic benefit of this technique in phases prior to secondary-progressive (SPMS).

Potential of Curcumin in Turmeric as a Preventive Modality from Covid-19 in Pregnant Women

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is a state of health emergency and global concern. Unfortunately, there is no effective therapeutic strategy available in dealing with Covid-19 infection. This can endanger risk groups, especially pregnant women. Various studies are competing to develop the therapeutic potential of Covid-19 from herbal compounds, one of which is curcumin. This study aims to determine the potential of curcumin in turmeric as a preventive modality from Covid-19 in pregnant women. This paper uses literature study. Based on the results obtained, the anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-coagulant effects in curcumin play an important role in preventing the development of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in humans based on various mechanisms. Low doses of curcumin have also been proven safe for consumption by pregnant women. Therefore, routine and low-dose curcumin supplementation can prevent Covid-19 infection in pregnant women.

COVID-19 and Glaucoma

Curcumin has already acknowledged immense interest from both medical and scientific research because of its multifaceted activity. To date, the promising effects of curcumin were perceived against numerous inflammatory diseases. Besides, curcumin's role as a medicine has been studied in many virus infections like influenza, HIV, etc. There is a need to analyze the cellular mechanisms of curcumin including host-pathogen interaction and immunomodulatory effects, to explore the role of curcumin against COVID-19. With this background, our study suggests that curcumin can prevent COVID-19 infections by inhibiting the pathogen entry, viral genome repli-cation and steps in the endosomal pathway along with inhibition of T-cell signalling by impairing the autophagy-mediated antigen-presenting pathway. This review explicit the possible mechanisms behind curcumin-induced cellular immunity and a therapeutive dosage of curcumin suggesting a preventive strategy against COVID-19.

Soluble curcumin ameliorates motility, adhesiveness and abrogate parthanatos in cadmium-exposed retinal pigment epithelial cells

Cadmium (Cd) is a nonessential transition metal and one of the most toxic environmental pollutants. Industrial, agricultural and urban activities are the main sources of Cd environmental contamination. Multiple deleterious effects of Cd exposure were reported for different cell types and living organisms in a great number of research papers. Cd bioaccumulation hazard is mediated by the relatively long half-life of this metal in an organism. For example, in mammals its half-life lasts for about 10–30 years. Cd exposure affects many tissues. However, some of them, including the central nervous system and sensory organs, are most susceptible to its toxicity. The harmful effects of Cd could be linked to oxidative stress generation and consequently intracellular signalling disruption. Since Cd induces redox imbalance the antioxidants could be a prospective tool to ameliorate Cd cytotoxicity. In present work, we have studied the protective efficacy of soluble curcumin on Cd-caused retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells viability, reactive oxygen species production, adhesive and extracellular matrix proteins expression, cell migration and parthanatos level. Low dose (5 µM) of soluble curcumin ameliorated all aforementioned indices of Cd-induced cytotoxicity. Curcumin has restored the RPE cells motility as well as fibronectin and E-cadherin expression. Therefore, the modulation of RPE adhesiveness could be regarded as a cytoprotective effect of curcumin. Furthermore, Cd-caused poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) suppression and cleaved PARP-1 upregulation were ameliorated by curcumin exposure. Therefore, the protective effect of soluble curcumin could be related, at least partially, to the modulation of PARP activity and inhibition of parthanatos flux. The observed results have demonstrated that low doses of soluble curcumin are a promising tool to protect RPE cells against Cd-caused retinal injury.

Curcumin Decreases Hippocampal Neurodegeneration and Nitro-Oxidative Damage to Plasma Proteins and Lipids Caused by Short-Term Exposure to Ozone.

Neurodegeneration is the consequence of harmful events affecting the nervous system that lead to neuronal death. Toxic substances, including air pollutants, are capable of inducing neurodegeneration. Ozone (O3) is the most oxidative toxic pollutant. O3 reacts with cellular components and forms reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, triggering nitro-oxidative damage during short-term exposure. Curcumin (CUR) is a natural phenolic molecule bearing well-documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory biological activities in diverse experimental models. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of preventive dietary administration of CUR against hippocampal neurodegeneration and nitro-oxidative damage caused by short-term exposure to O3. Eighty Wistar male rats were distributed into four experimental groups, twenty rats each: intact control; CUR dietary supplementation without O3 exposure; exposure to 0.7 ppm of O3; and exposed to O3 with CUR dietary supplementation. Five rats from each group were sacrificed at 1, 2, 4, and 8 h of exposure. The CUR dose was 5.6 mg/kg and adjusted according to food consumption. CUR significantly decreased oxidative damage to plasma lipids and proteins, as well as neurodegeneration in CA1 and CA3 hippocampal regions. Concluding, CUR proved effective protection in decreasing neurodegeneration in the hippocampus and prevented systemic oxidative damage.

Clastogenic effects of cigarette smoke and urethane and their modulation by olive oil, curcumin and carotenoids in adult mice and foetuses

In spite of the overwhelming epidemiological evidence for cigarette smoke (CS) carcinogenicity, less attention has been paid to the effects of CS as a complex mixture. As assessed in a series of experiments in murine models, the whole-body exposure to mainstream CS induced significant increases of micronucleated cells in the respiratory tract, bone marrow and peripheral blood of adult mice as well as in the liver and peripheral blood of foetuses whose mothers had been exposed throughout pregnancy. Urethane was potently clastogenic in the same cells when injected intraperitoneally. The daily administration of extra-virgin olive oil by gavage produced evident and consistent protective effects in all monitored experimental systems. In contrast, sunflower oil exhibited some adverse effects. Curcumin did not produce any significant effect in the bone marrow of both CS-exposed adults and foetuses but it elicited a dose-dependent protective effect traceable in blood erythrocytes. However, the higher curcumin dose further increased the frequency of micronucleated pulmonary alveolar macrophages. The apparent protective effects produced by lycopene and by a carotenoid mix were overwhelmed by those produced by olive oil, and lycopene even exhibited a worsening effect on the frequency of micronucleated erythroblasts in the bone marrow of urethane-treated adult mice.