Antiinflammatory Curcumin

N.A. Volatile oil, zingiberen, turmerone, curcumin, resin.99,511 Stimulate secretion of bile, antibacterial, antiinflammatory, relieve stomach pain, antioxidant. 

Ramsewak RS, DeWitt DL, Nair MG. 2000. Cytotoxicity, antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities of curcumins I-III from Curcuma longa. Phytomedicine 7 303-308. 

The anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin and its derivatives is associated with the hydroxyl and phenol groups in the molecule, which are also essential for the inhibition of prostaglandins, PG synthetase and leucotriene synthesis (LT) (Kiuchi et al., 1982, 1992 Iwakami, et al, 1986). Claeson et al. (1993, 1996) suggested that the antiinflammatory action and the antiparasitic activity were associated with the (3-dicarbo-nylic system with conjugated double bonds (dienes) (Araujo et al., 1998, 1999). The better skin penetration and lipophylicity is attributed to the presence of a diene ketone system. Calebin-A, a novel curcuminoid isolated from turmeric, protects neuronal cells from (3-amyloid insult. The hydroxy group at para-position of this compound is most critical for the expression of biological activity (Kim et al., 2001). 

Srimal, R.C. and Dhawan, N. (1 983) Pharmacology of diferuloyl methane (curcumin), a non-steroidal antiinflammatory agent. The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 25, 447 452. 

Chan, M.M.Y., Huang, H.I., and Fenton, M.R., In vivo inhibition of nitric oxide synthase gene expression by curcumin, a cancer preventive natural product with antiinflammatory properties, Biochem. Pharmacol., 55, 1955, 1998. 

Srimal, R.C., and Dhawan, B.N., Pharmacology of diferuloylmethane (curcumin), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, J. Pharm. Pharmacol, 25, 447, 1973. Satoskar, R.R., Shah, S.J., and Shenoy, S.G., Evaluation of antiinflammatory property of curcumin (diferuloylmethane) in patients with postoperative inflammation, Int. J. Clin. Pharmacol Then Toxicol, 24, 651, 1986. 

The major pigment in Curcuma species (Zingiberaceae family) is the yellow phenolic diarylheptanoid curcumin (Jl). Curcumin and its analogs have potent antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects, cytotoxicity against tumor cells, and antitumor-promoting activity (96). The biologic effects and targets of curcumin, as well as its possible roles in cancer prevention and therapy, have been reviewed recently (97, 98). 

The principal use of the drug today is in treatment of acid, flatulent or atonic dyspepsic ulcers, and pain and inflammation due to rheumatoid arthritis. The antiinflammatory activity of Curcumas radix has been demonstrated in animal models, its effectiveness being similar to hydrocortisone acetate and indometh-acin. Curcumin and its derivatives are the active antiinflammatory constituents, and its activity appears to be mediated through the inhibition of the enzymes trypsin and hyaluronidase. Clinical studies (randomised, double-blind)... 

Essential oils have also been shown to be useful as anti-inflammatory agents. The anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of Ocimum sanctum fixed oil have been evaluated recently [220]. The results reported are consistent with the folk medicine use of different parts of this plant for the treatment of acute and chronic inflammation. The results of an investigation on the anti-inflammatory activities of flavonoids of Baphia nitida, another plant used in folk medicine, were recently reported [221]. The flavo no id-rich fraction of the leaf, obtained by a chromatographic process, was formulated into an ointment and exhibited significant antiinflammatory activity in several rodent inflammation models. The inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-a) and interleukin-1(3 (IL-1), mediators in many acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, by curcumin (111), a phytochemical isolated from the plant Curcuma longa Linn, was recently reported [222]. This report shows that, in vitro, curcumin (111), at 5 (J.M, inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of TNF-a and IL-1 by a human monocytic macrophage cell line. 

Synthesis of New Curcumin Analogs and Their Antioxidant and Antiinflammatory Activities... 

In order to protect the aging population from stroke, it is crucial to explore methods that may retard or slow the molecular cascade associated with oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, and neuroinflammation. Diet enriched in antioxidant and antiinflammatory agents (curcumin, green tea, and ferulic acid) (Fig. 3.11) may lower the risk of stroke. Many studies indicate that dietary supplementation with fruit or colored vegetable extracts can decrease the age-enhanced vulnerability to oxidative... 

Constit. of the rhizomes of Zingiber cassumunar. Antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent. Yellow powder, [x] —13 (c, 0.4 in CHCI3). Related to Curcumin, C-02171. 

Curcuma extract, volatile oil, and its curcumin components have in vitro and in vivo antiinflammatory activity that may be due to inhibition of eicosanoid (leukotrienes/thrombox-anes) biosynthesis. A fraction of curcuma oil (b.p 80-110 °C) has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic activities in rats. An essential oil-depleted extract is effective against experimental rheumatoid arthritis. Involved targets include NF-kB, che-mokine, COX-2, and others. Curcumin has also been reported to exhibit antiedemic effects in rats (martestdale). 

In this article, we have reviewed the literatures available for the mechanism of action and anti-inflammatory properties of selected nutraceuticals such as curcumin, resveratrol, green tea polyphenols and diarylheptanoids (chemical structures in Figure 1). In addition we have also shown the antiinflammatory properties of a diarylheptanoids from Alpinia galanga and different possible targets in inflammation. 

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