European Cardiology Review (Jul 2019)

Anti-inflammatory Action of Curcumin and Its Use in the Treatment of Lifestyle-related Diseases

  • Kana Shimizu,
  • Masafumi Funamoto,
  • Yoichi Sunagawa,
  • Satoshi Shimizu,
  • Yasufumi Katanasaka,
  • Yusuke Miyazaki,
  • Hiromichi Wada,
  • Koji Hasegawa,
  • Tatsuya Morimoto

DOI
https://doi.org/10.15420/ecr.2019.17.2
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 2
pp. 117 – 122

Abstract

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Chronic inflammation plays a significant role in lifestyle-related diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and obesity/impaired glucose tolerance. Curcumin is a natural extract that possesses numerous physiological properties, as indicated by its anti-inflammatory action. The mechanisms underlying these effects include the inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB and Toll-like receptor 4-dependent signalling pathways and the activation of a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma pathway. However, the bioavailability of curcumin is very low in humans. To resolve this issue, several drug delivery systems have been developed and a number of clinical trials have reported beneficial effects of curcumin in the management of inflammation-related diseases. It is expected that evidence regarding the clinical application of curcumin in lifestyle-related diseases associated with chronic inflammation will accumulate over time.