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Curcumin differs from tetrahydrocurcumin for molecular targets, signaling pathways and cellular responses.
- Source :
-
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) [Molecules] 2014 Dec 24; Vol. 20 (1), pp. 185-205. Date of Electronic Publication: 2014 Dec 24. - Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a golden pigment from turmeric, has been linked with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, and antidiabetic properties. Most of the these activities have been assigned to methoxy, hydroxyl, α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moiety or to diketone groups present in curcumin. One of the major metabolites of curcumin is tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), which lacks α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moiety and is white in color. Whether THC is superior to curcumin on a molecular level is unclear and thus is the focus of this review. Various studies suggest that curcumin is a more potent antioxidant than THC; curcumin (but not THC) can bind and inhibit numerous targets including DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase-1, heme oxygenase-1, Nrf2, β-catenin, cyclooxygenase-2, NF-kappaB, inducible nitric oxide synthase, nitric oxide, amyloid plaques, reactive oxygen species, vascular endothelial growth factor, cyclin D1, glutathione, P300/CBP, 5-lipoxygenase, cytosolic phospholipase A2, prostaglandin E2, inhibitor of NF-kappaB kinase-1, -2, P38MAPK, p-Tau, tumor necrosis factor-α, forkhead box O3a, CRAC; curcumin can inhibit tumor cell growth and suppress cellular entry of viruses such as influenza A virus and hepatitis C virus much more effectively than THC; curcumin affects membrane mobility; and curcumin is also more effective than THC in suppressing phorbol-ester-induced tumor promotion. Other studies, however, suggest that THC is superior to curcumin for induction of GSH peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, NADPH: quinone reductase, and quenching of free radicals. Most studies have indicated that THC exhibits higher antioxidant activity, but curcumin exhibits both pro-oxidant and antioxidant properties.
- Subjects :
- Animals
Anti-Inflammatory Agents chemistry
Anti-Inflammatory Agents pharmacology
Antineoplastic Agents chemistry
Antineoplastic Agents pharmacology
Antioxidants chemistry
Antioxidants pharmacology
Antiviral Agents chemistry
Antiviral Agents pharmacology
Curcumin chemistry
Humans
Curcumin analogs & derivatives
Curcumin pharmacology
Signal Transduction drug effects
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1420-3049
- Volume :
- 20
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 25547723
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules20010185