Pelvic inflammatory disease is a condition referring to infection of female reproductive organs. It is considered one of the most serious complications of sexually transmitted diseases. Permanent damage to the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes or other parts of the female can happen because of pelvic inflammatory disease. It can cause scarring of the reproductive organs […]
Curcumin
Curcumin is a polyphenol derived from the herbal remedy and dietary spice turmeric. It possesses diverse anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties following oral or topical administration. Apart from Curcumin’s potent antioxidant capacity at neutral and acidic pH, its mechanisms of action include inhibition of several cell signaling pathways at multiple levels, effects on cellular enzymes such as cyclooxygenase and glutathione S-transferases, immuno-modulation and effects on angiogenesis and cell–cell adhesion.
Curcumin’s ability to affect gene transcription and to induce apoptosis in preclinical models is likely to be of particular relevance to cancer chemoprevention and chemotherapy in patients. Although Curcumin’s low systemic bioavailability following oral dosing may limit access of sufficient concentrations for pharmacological effect in certain tissues, the attainment of biologically active levels in the gastrointestinal tract has been demonstrated in animals and humans. Sufficient data currently exist to advocate phase II clinical evaluation of oral Curcumin in patients with invasive malignancy or pre-invasive lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, particularly the colon and rectum.
Chemical properties of Curcumin
Curcumin is a bis-a,b-unsaturated b-diketone. As such, Curcumin exists in equilibrium with its enol tautomer. The bis-keto form predominates in acidic and neutral aqueous solutions and in the cell membrane. At pH 3–7, Curcumin acts as an extraordinarily potent H-atom donor. This is because, in the keto form of Curcumin, the heptadienone linkage between the two methoxyphenol rings contains a highly activated carbon atom, and the C–H carbon bonds on this carbon are very weak due to delocalization of the unpaired electron on the adjacent oxygens (Fig. 1). In contrast, above pH 8, the enolate form of the heptadienone chain predominates, and Curcumin acts mainly as an electron donor, a mechanism more typical for the scavenging activity of phenolic antioxidants. Curcumin is relatively insoluble in water, but dissolves in acetone, dimethylsulphoxide and ethanol.
Fig. 1. Tautomerism of curcumin under physiological conditions. Under acidic and neutral conditions, the bis-keto form (top) predominates, Whereas the enolate form is found above pH 8
Pharmacodynamics
In vitro, Curcumin has been shown to inhibit certain epigenetic enzymes (the histone deacetylases: HDAC1, HDAC3, and HDAC8) and transcriptional co-activator proteins (thep300 histone acetyltransferase). Curcumin also inhibits the arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase enzyme in vitro.
Pharmacokinetics
Daily consumption of Curcumin over a 3-month period of up to 12 grams was found to be safe in humans. In Phase I clinical trials, dietary Curcumin was shown to exhibit poor bioavailability, exhibited by rapid metabolism, low levels in plasma and tissues, and extensive rapid excretion, factors that make its’ in vivo activity poorly understood. Potential factors that limit the bioavailability of Curcumin include insolubility in water (more soluble in alkaline solutions) and non-absorption. Numerous approaches to increase Curcumin bioavailability are under research, including the use of absorption factors (such as piperine), liposomes, a structural analogue, or nanomaterial’s using specialized polymers.
Curcumin in Hepatitis A Reduces Liver inflammation & improves Liver health
Liver is a large meaty organ lying on the right side of your abdomen. Its job is to filter the blood coming out of your digestive tract before it passes to the rest of the body. Hepatitis A is an infection of the liver with the HAV and is the most common type of infection. […]
Strengthen Your Bones with Curcumin in Osteoporosis & Increase Your Activity Level
Turmeric – an herb commonly used in Indian & Asian culinary – stands out to be protective for your bones against osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a bone disease that can lead to an increased risk of fractures as your bones loses their mass and become weak over a period of time. Turmeric contains a natural chemical, […]
Say Goodbye to Joint Pain and Inflammation by Using Curcumin for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Do you often suffer from pain and stiffness in your joints or have trouble moving around and performing simple chores? Then you might have Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), which causes pain and inflammation in almost all types of joints. Fortunately, you can now control and alleviate your suffering with a hint of Curcumin for Rheumatoid Arthritis […]
Curcumin for Osteoarthritis Relieves Pain & Inflammation and Increases Mobility
If you’ve never heard of curcumin, the chemical that gives ancient spice turmeric its yellow-orange color, then you are in for a great news. Curcumin is one natural compound that should be on your health list. Recent studies show that a formulation of Curcumin for Osteoarthritis can relieve pain and increase mobility – Curcumin for […]
Curcumin for COPD Soothes Respiratory Inflammation & Improves Airflow to Lungs
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a collection of conditions affecting your lungs that makes it hard to breath. The symptoms of the disease get worse over time leaving an individual vulnerable to other debilitating conditions. Inflammation and excessive mucous secretions are the two main irritants in COPD that diminish airflow to lungs. Curcumin for COPD […]
