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Discovery of curcumin, a component of golden spice, and its miraculous biological activities.
- Source :
-
Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology [Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol] 2012 Mar; Vol. 39 (3), pp. 283-99. - Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- 1. Curcumin is the active ingredient of the dietary spice turmeric and has been consumed for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Modern science has shown that curcumin modulates various signalling molecules, including inflammatory molecules, transcription factors, enzymes, protein kinases, protein reductases, carrier proteins, cell survival proteins, drug resistance proteins, adhesion molecules, growth factors, receptors, cell cycle regulatory proteins, chemokines, DNA, RNA and metal ions. 2. Because of this polyphenol's potential to modulate multiple signalling molecules, it has been reported to possess pleiotropic activities. First demonstrated to have antibacterial activity in 1949, curcumin has since been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, pro-apoptotic, chemopreventive, chemotherapeutic, antiproliferative, wound healing, antinociceptive, antiparasitic and antimalarial properties as well. Animal studies have suggested that curcumin may be active against a wide range of human diseases, including diabetes, obesity, neurological and psychiatric disorders and cancer, as well as chronic illnesses affecting the eyes, lungs, liver, kidneys and gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems. 3. Although many clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of curcumin against human ailments have already been completed, others are still ongoing. Moreover, curcumin is used as a supplement in several countries, including India, Japan, the US, Thailand, China, Korea, Turkey, South Africa, Nepal and Pakistan. Although inexpensive, apparently well tolerated and potentially active, curcumin has not been approved for the treatment of any human disease. 4. In the present article, we discuss the discovery and key biological activities of curcumin, with a particular emphasis on its activities at the molecular and cellular levels, as well as in animals and humans.<br /> (© 2011 The Authors. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.)
- Subjects :
- Animals
Anti-Bacterial Agents chemistry
Anti-Bacterial Agents isolation & purification
Anti-Bacterial Agents therapeutic use
Anti-Inflammatory Agents chemistry
Anti-Inflammatory Agents isolation & purification
Anti-Inflammatory Agents therapeutic use
Antioxidants isolation & purification
Antioxidants physiology
Antioxidants therapeutic use
Clinical Trials as Topic methods
Curcumin isolation & purification
Curcumin metabolism
Humans
Inflammation Mediators metabolism
Inflammation Mediators therapeutic use
Curcuma chemistry
Curcuma physiology
Curcumin therapeutic use
Inflammation Mediators physiology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1440-1681
- Volume :
- 39
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 22118895
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1681.2011.05648.x