Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing-remitting condition that afflicts millions of people throughout the world and impairs their daily functions and quality of life. While the aetiology of IBD is not understood well, it appears to be driven by inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Hence, there is a strong interest in agents that can block the generation or actions of inflammatory cytokines. Curcumin is a bioactive substance present in the rhizomes of the herb “Curcuma longa” which has been used for centuries in Asia, both in traditional medicine and in cooking as turmeric which gives food an exotic natural yellow color. Further, in recent years, a large number of research papers have reported intriguing pharmacologic effects associated with curcumin. These include inhibitory effects on cyclooxygenases 1, 2 (COX-1, COX-2), lipoxygenase (LOX), TNF-α, interferon γ (IFN-γ), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and the transcriptional nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), in addition to a strong anti-oxidant effect. NF-κB is a key factor in the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines that have a high profile in inflammatory diseases, suggesting that curcumin could be a novel therapeutic agent for patients with IBD. Therefore, in recent years, the efficacy of curcumin has been investigated in several experimental models of IBD. The results indicate striking suppression of induced IBD colitis and changes in cytokine profiles, from the pro-inflammatory Th1 to the anti-inflammatory Th2 type. In human IBD, up to now, only one open study has achieved encouraging results. In this study, patients were given curcumin (360mg/dose) 3 or 4 times/day for three months. Further, curcumin significantly reduced clinical relapse in patients with quiescent IBD. The inhibitory effects of curcumin on major inflammatory mechanisms like COX-2, LOX, TNF-α, IFN-γ, NF-κB and its unrivalled safety profile suggest that it has bright prospects in the treatment of IBD. However, randomized controlled clinical investigations in large cohorts of patients are needed to fully evaluate the clinical potential of curcumin.
Keywords: Curcuma longa, curcuminoid, curcumin, inflammatory bowel disease, NF-κB, TNF-α, trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid-induced colitis
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Curcumin has Bright Prospects for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Volume: 15 Issue: 18
Author(s): Hiroyuki Hanai and Ken Sugimoto
Affiliation:
Keywords: Curcuma longa, curcuminoid, curcumin, inflammatory bowel disease, NF-κB, TNF-α, trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid-induced colitis
Abstract: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing-remitting condition that afflicts millions of people throughout the world and impairs their daily functions and quality of life. While the aetiology of IBD is not understood well, it appears to be driven by inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Hence, there is a strong interest in agents that can block the generation or actions of inflammatory cytokines. Curcumin is a bioactive substance present in the rhizomes of the herb “Curcuma longa” which has been used for centuries in Asia, both in traditional medicine and in cooking as turmeric which gives food an exotic natural yellow color. Further, in recent years, a large number of research papers have reported intriguing pharmacologic effects associated with curcumin. These include inhibitory effects on cyclooxygenases 1, 2 (COX-1, COX-2), lipoxygenase (LOX), TNF-α, interferon γ (IFN-γ), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and the transcriptional nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), in addition to a strong anti-oxidant effect. NF-κB is a key factor in the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines that have a high profile in inflammatory diseases, suggesting that curcumin could be a novel therapeutic agent for patients with IBD. Therefore, in recent years, the efficacy of curcumin has been investigated in several experimental models of IBD. The results indicate striking suppression of induced IBD colitis and changes in cytokine profiles, from the pro-inflammatory Th1 to the anti-inflammatory Th2 type. In human IBD, up to now, only one open study has achieved encouraging results. In this study, patients were given curcumin (360mg/dose) 3 or 4 times/day for three months. Further, curcumin significantly reduced clinical relapse in patients with quiescent IBD. The inhibitory effects of curcumin on major inflammatory mechanisms like COX-2, LOX, TNF-α, IFN-γ, NF-κB and its unrivalled safety profile suggest that it has bright prospects in the treatment of IBD. However, randomized controlled clinical investigations in large cohorts of patients are needed to fully evaluate the clinical potential of curcumin.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Hanai Hiroyuki and Sugimoto Ken, Curcumin has Bright Prospects for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2009; 15 (18) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161209788489177
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161209788489177 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
?Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment: Nano-Therapeutics Targeting Tumor Microenvironment?
This thematic issue explores the forefront of cancer treatment, centering on the groundbreaking potential of nano-therapeutics meticulously designed to target the tumor microenvironment. At its core, the issue aims to unravel the latest advancements in nanotechnology, showcasing innovative materials, formulations, and delivery systems that hold promise for redefining cancer therapeutics. ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Human Whey Promotes Sessile Bacterial Growth, Whereas Alternative Sources of Infant Nutrition Promote Planktonic Growth
Current Nutrition & Food Science Targeted Alpha Therapy with 227Th-trastuzumab of Intraperitoneal Ovarian Cancer in Nude Mice
Current Radiopharmaceuticals An Interventional Pulmonologist’s Tool: Endobronchial Ultrasound- Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in Thoracic Disease — An Update
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews The Wnt Pathway: Emerging Anticancer Strategies
Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery Peptide Nucleic Acids with a Structurally Biased Backbone. Updated Review and Emerging Challenges
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry The Indian Pediatric HIV Epidemic: A Systematic Review
Current HIV Research Successful Combination of Sequential Gene Therapy and Rescue Allo-HSCT in Two Children with X-CGD - Importance of Timing
Current Gene Therapy Patient Radiation Doses in Interventional Cardiology Procedures
Current Cardiology Reviews Chemomodulating Effects of Flavonoids in Human Leukemia Cells
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Vitamin D and Cancer Mortality: Systematic Review of Prospective Epidemiological Studies
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry An Update on the Xenograft and Mouse Models Suitable for Investigating New Therapeutic Compounds for the Treatment of B-Cell Malignancies
Current Pharmaceutical Design Neuroprotective Gene Therapy for the Treatment of Inherited Retinal Degeneration
Current Gene Therapy A Critical Reappraisal of Off-Label Indications for Topical Photodynamic Therapy with Aminolevulinic Acid and Methylaminolevulinate
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Molecular Simulation of HDAC1/3 Inhibitor: Insights into the Structural Basis of Selectivity
Letters in Drug Design & Discovery Therapeutic Potential of Nucleic Acid-Based Drugs in Coronary Hyper- Proliferative Vascular Diseases
Current Medicinal Chemistry A Novel Antiproliferative and Antifungal Lectin from Amaranthus viridis Linn Seeds
Protein & Peptide Letters Combination of DC Vaccine and Conventional Chemotherapeutics
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Therapeutic Agents Based on DNA Sequence Specific Binding
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Withdrawal Notice: Circulatory Cells as Tumortropic Carrier for Targetability Improvement
Current Drug Delivery The Small Bowel: An Imaging Guide
Current Medical Imaging