Title:The Effects of Curcumin on Astrocytes in Common Neurodegenerative
Conditions
Volume: 23
Issue: 22
Author(s): Ameer A. Alameri, Muhammad Usman Ghanni, Arsalan Ali, Mandeep Singh, Moaed E. Al-Gazally, Abbas F. Almulla, Andrés Alexis Ramírez-Coronel, Yasser Fakri Mustafa, Reena Gupta, Rasha Fadhel Obaid, Gamal A. Gabr and Bagher Farhood*
Affiliation:
- Department of Medical Physics and Radiology, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences,
Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
Keywords:
Astrocyte cells, curcumin, neurodegenerative conditions, Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease.
Abstract: Neurodegenerative diseases are age-related, multifactorial, and complicated conditions
that affect the nervous system. In most cases, these diseases may begin with an accumulation of
misfolded proteins rather than decay before they develop clinical symptoms. The progression of
these diseases can be influenced by a number of internal and external factors, including oxidative
damage, neuro-inflammation, and the accumulation of misfolded amyloid proteins. Astrocytes, with
the highest abundance among the cells of the mammalian central nervous system, perform several
important activities, such as maintaining brain homeostasis and playing a role in the neurodegenerative
condition onset and progress. Therefore, these cells have been considered to be potential targets
for managing neurodegeneration. Curcumin, with multiple special properties, has been effectively
prescribed to manage various diseases. It has hepato-protective, anti-carcinogenic, cardio-protective,
thrombo-suppressive, anti-inflammatory, chemo-therapeutic, anti-arthritic, chemo-preventive, and
anti-oxidant activities. In the current review, the effects of curcumin on astrocytes in common neurodegenerative
conditions, such as Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple
sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease, are discussed. Hence, it can be concluded
that astrocytes play a critical role in neurodegenerative diseases, and curcumin is able to directly
modulate astrocyte activity in neurodegenerative diseases.
