Atherosclerosis is an abnormal hardening of the inner layer of blood vessels and is often referred to as a “furring” of the arteries. The condition takes place with time and imposes serious threats on vital organs of body. Typically, atherosclerosis begins in early adolescence, but may remain undiagnosed or become evident until the patient suffers […]
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.
Turmeric Prevents Plaque Formation Improving Circulation in Atherosclerosis
Manage Alzheimer’s Disease with Curcumin
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition causing problems with memory, thinking, behavior and other cognitive functions. Initially, people with Alzheimer’s disease notice only mild confusion and difficulty with memory. Eventually, they start to even forget important people around them and may undergo dramatic personality changes. Curcumin, a substance in turmeric commonly used in Indian cuisines, […]
Curcumin for Parkinson’s disease improves cognitive abilities
Have you experienced a slight shaking or tremor in your finger, thumb, hand, chin or lip lately? Does your legs tremble when you sit down or relax? You may be suffering from Parkinson’s disease, a condition that slowly damages your nervous system controlling movements and motor skills. Unwanted twitching or shaking of hands and feet […]
All About Curcumin for Allergies
An allergy is the over-reaction of body’s immune system to allergens such as pollens, foods, some pets and house dust mite. Though, for most people, these substances referred to as allergens pose no problem but in allergic individuals their immune system treats them as threat and thus produces an inappropriate response. Curcumin, the main component […]
