Search Results (371)

Background/Objectives: Curcumin has been proposed as a nutritional strategy to support exercise recovery through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. However, trials differ in sport context, training status, supplementation timing, dose, formulation, and methodological control. This systematic review evaluated its effects on recovery outcomes in active individuals and athletes, with particular attention to the applicability of the evidence to real-world sport settings. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and Cochrane Library/CENTRAL were searched from 2012 to June 2026. Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials were eligible when they evaluated oral curcumin, curcuminoids, Curcuma-derived preparations with a specified curcumin dose, or curcumin combined only with bioavailability enhancers. Studies using artificial muscle-damage protocols, clinical populations, non-randomized designs, or combined bioactive interventions were excluded. Methodological quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale, supplemented by a Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) assessment and a Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) certainty-of-evidence evaluation. Owing to heterogeneity, findings were synthesized narratively by outcome domain, supplementation timing, formulation type, exercise context, and training status. Results: Fifteen trials were included. Favorable effects were reported in 6/7 studies assessing oxidative stress, 4/6 assessing muscle damage, 3/8 assessing inflammation, 3/7 assessing subjective recovery, soreness, or fatigue, and 4/8 assessing physical or athletic performance. However, effects varied substantially according to population, exercise context, biomarker selection, timing of assessment, and formulation type. The certainty of evidence was low for oxidative stress and very low for muscle damage, inflammation, subjective recovery/soreness/fatigue, and performance. Conclusions: Curcumin supplementation may support selected aspects of exercise recovery, particularly oxidative stress responses. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously because the evidence derives mostly from small trials with heterogeneous populations, exercise protocols, supplementation regimens, formulations, biomarkers, and assessment time points. Evidence for muscle damage, inflammation, subjective recovery, fatigue, and performance remains inconsistent, and further well-controlled trials in trained and high-performance athletes are needed before practical recommendations can be established. Full article

Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound derived from turmeric, exhibits broad-spectrum anticancer activities, but its ability to induce pyroptosis in osteosarcoma remains unknown. Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents, and novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to overcome osteosarcoma chemoresistance. Aim: This study aimed to investigate whether curcumin induces pyroptosis-associated molecular changes in human osteosarcoma cells and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms, focusing on the ROS/NLRP3/CASPASE-1/GSDMD axis and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Methods: Human osteosarcoma U2OS and MG63 cells were treated with curcumin (20–40 μmol·L⁻¹ for 24 h). Cell viability was assessed by CCK-8 assay. Pyroptotic morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release was measured colorimetrically, and IL-1β/IL-18 secretion was quantified by ELISA. Mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were analyzed by flow cytometry. Protein expression levels of NLRP3, cleaved CASPASE-1, GSDMD-N, PI3K, AKT, p-AKT, Bax, Bcl-2 and cleaved CASPASE-3 were detected by Western blotting. Pharmacological validation was performed using the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. Results: Curcumin significantly inhibited the proliferation of U2OS and MG63 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Scanning electron microscopy revealed characteristic pyroptotic features including cell swelling, membrane pore formation, and rupture. Curcumin treatment markedly increased LDH release and elevated IL-1β/IL-18 secretion. Mechanistically, curcumin induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization and ROS accumulation, upregulated NLRP3, cleaved CASPASE-1, and GSDMD-N expression, and concomitantly reduced PI3K/AKT pathway activity. Additionally, curcumin upregulated pro-apoptotic Bax, downregulated anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, and activated cleaved CASPASE-3. The pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK partially reversed curcumin-induced cytotoxicity, confirming that caspase-dependent apoptosis contributes to the overall anticancer effect. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that curcumin induces both apoptosis and pyroptosis-associated molecular changes in human osteosarcoma cells. The pyroptotic effect involves the ROS/NLRP3/CASPASE-1/GSDMD axis, accompanied by PI3K/AKT suppression, while caspase-dependent apoptosis also plays an important role. These findings uncover a previously unreported mechanism of curcumin’s anti-osteosarcoma activity and suggest that targeting multiple cell death pathways may represent a promising strategy to overcome apoptosis resistance in osteosarcoma. Full article

Curcuminoids (Cmn) are polyphenolic compounds from Curcuma longa that exhibit significant pharmacological activities but suffer from poor bioavailability due to low solubility and rapid metabolism. We have developed a novel formulation of Cmn entrapped within citrus fibers with the intent to improve its bioavailability. The physiological properties of citrus fibers improve aqueous dispersion and apparent solubilization of Cmn while protecting it from physiological degradation. Single-dose oral pharmacokinetics in Wistar rats revealed that citrus fiber-entrapped Cmn (CurcXR) exhibited a 57.52-fold increase in bioavailability compared to 95% standard Cmn. The maximum plasma concentration (C_max) of 0.95 μg/mL at 4 h, and an area under the curve (AUC_0−t) of 8.84 μg/mL·h was observed for CurcXR. These findings highlight that citrus fiber-based formulations are a simple, safe, and effective strategy to enhance the bioavailability of Cmn in nutraceuticals. Full article

Curcumin is a polyphenolic bio-compound derived from the rhizomes of the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa) that has proven anti-carcinogenic properties but poor bioavailability. By modifying its chemical structure, the monocarbonyl analogs of curcumin (MACs) possess improved stability, resorption, and circulation. This dataset presents RT-qPCR array analysis of 84 genes associated with Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), a key early event in cancer progression and metastasis, in human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Cells were stimulated toward EMT reprogramming by treatment with a combination of EMT-inducing factors and co-treated with two experimental MACs, C66 or B2BrBC. Gene expression was measured using the human EMT QIAGEN RT² Profiler kit, and results were obtained from three independent experiments. Gene expression changes are presented as both fold regulation and fold change values, with statistical significance determined by Student’s t-test (p < 0.05). This comprehensive dataset enables investigation into how MACs modulate the EMT transcriptome in breast cancer cells, with potential applications for understanding EMT mechanisms. The raw and processed data are publicly available and can be used for comparative analyses, validation studies, and bioinformatic analyses of EMT-related signaling pathways. Full article

The absence of robust and effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease remains a major challenge in modern medicine. As one of the leading causes of death, its increasing prevalence and complex chronic pathogenesis impose a substantial societal and healthcare burden, intensifying the need for effective therapeutic strategies. Current treatments remain limited, with minimal impact on cognitive decline in symptomatic patients. Curcumin, the bioactive ingredient in turmeric, has taken precedence over other natural products due to its potent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. Numerous publications have extensively reported on the therapeutic effect of curcumin in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease. However, no curcumin formulation has demonstrated consistent clinical efficacy against Alzheimer’s or other neurodegenerative diseases to date. Over the years, many critics have argued that curcumin’s undesirable chemical properties, mainly low bioavailability and rapid metabolism, pose significant barriers to its therapeutic use to target the brain. Considerable funding and research effort on emerging technologies such as nanoparticles and intranasal delivery continue to drive curcumin preclinical and clinical trials, prompting reflection on the rationale for continued investment. This narrative review critically dissects this disconnect, arguing that many purported benefits remain insufficiently substantiated, and identifying important opportunities where future research may hold promise for an effective treatment. Full article

Turmeric has a long history of use as a colorant and flavoring agent. Turmeric extract (TE) is a feed additive containing at least 90% total curcuminoids, comprising mainly curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. The published antioxidant effects of TE in humans have sparked interest and feeding studies in companion animals. Studies describing the feeding of TE to cats are scarce and do not provide adequate toxicology data; regulatory approval is required to allow use of TE as a nutritional antioxidant in pet food. The current study describes a safety test of TE in cats. Control cats were fed a standard extruded dry diet whilst two groups of test cats were fed the same diet supplemented with two different levels of TE for four months. Physical examination, body weight, body condition score, food intake, fecal score, monitoring of adverse effects (vomiting, diarrhea, clinical signs), complete blood count, and blood biochemistry (particularly liver enzymes) were used to monitor toxicity signs. The lack of statistically significant effects of clinical or toxicological concern concludes that feeding TE to cats at a dietary level providing up to 1040 ppm total curcuminoids is safe. This allows future application of this ingredient in cat food as a nutritional antioxidant. Full article

Objectives: This review aims to systematically summarize turmeric’s botanical traits, traditional medicinal applications, phytochemical components and their biological activities, and to integrate botanical, phytochemical, molecular and clinical perspectives to provide a comprehensive theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the future scientific research and clinical applications of turmeric as a functional food. Methods: A systematic overview and comprehensive analysis were conducted on the existing research about turmeric, covering its botanical characteristics, traditional medicinal application value, the biological mechanisms of major bioactive compounds (especially curcumin), pharmacokinetic properties, and the latest progress in relevant clinical trials. Results: Turmeric has important historical and cultural significance in traditional medicine, and its major bioactive compound curcumin is the core of its therapeutic potential, which can modulate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor signaling pathways. Recent studies have found that curcumin exerts significant biological effects by regulating noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) and epigenetic modifications, showing a promising role in cancer chemoprevention. Meanwhile, curcumin has specific pharmacokinetic properties, and current clinical trials on turmeric and curcumin have made certain progress, yet challenges such as low bioavailability and limited therapeutic efficacy still exist. Conclusions: Turmeric, as a widely recognized functional food with rich phytochemicals and diverse biological activities, has great potential in scientific research and clinical application, especially in cancer chemoprevention. Solving the key challenges such as curcumin’s bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy is the core direction for the future development and utilization of turmeric, and the multi-dimensional research perspective can provide more comprehensive support for its practical application as a functional food. Full article

Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound obtained from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, is the main bioactive component of turmeric and exhibits a wide range of biological properties. This naturally occurring polyphenolic compound is widely known for its protective properties on the vascular endothelium and its anti-inflammatory effects. Curcumin has been recognized as a factor in improving antioxidant defenses and lipid metabolism and as a neuroprotective agent. Thanks to its broad spectrum of activity, curcumin is gaining popularity as an ingredient in dietary supplements and as part of a healthy diet that supports overall health. In this article, we will take a closer look at curcumin—based on a review of the current literature, we will learn what curcumin is and what health benefits it can provide. Full article

Background: Abnormal activation of the NRF2-cGAS-STING-NF-κB pathway can trigger an inflammatory cascade in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Curcumin (CUR), a polyphenolic compound extracted from turmeric, possesses anti-inflammatory activity, but whether it can modulate this pathway to ameliorate RA remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate whether CUR inhibits the inflammatory response in synovial fibroblasts (MH7A) by suppressing the NRF2-cGAS-STING-NF-κB signaling cascade. Methods: An RA inflammatory model was constructed by stimulating MH7A cells with 20 ng/mL tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Groups included a control group, a model group, a methotrexate positive control group [MTX(methotrexate), 10 μmol/L], and curcumin treatment groups at varying concentrations (10–100 μmol/L). Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8(Cell Counting Kit-8) assay. Cell migration and invasion capabilities were evaluated via scratch wound healing and Transwell assays, respectively. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. mRNA and protein expression levels of NRF2(Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2), cGAS(cyclic GMP-AMP synthase), STING(stimulator of interferon genes), and NF-κB(nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) were measured using qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Protein localization was determined by immunofluorescence. Results: Compared to the model group (TNF-induced), the cell migration rate in the curcumin (CUR) groups was significantly decreased (p < 0.001), with a particularly marked reduction observed at a concentration of 50 μmol/L. Furthermore, as the concentration of curcumin increased, cell invasion capacity showed a significant dose-dependent decline. The apoptosis rate also significantly decreased with increasing curcumin concentrations, demonstrating a clear concentration-dependent effect. Mechanistically, curcumin treatment significantly upregulated the expression of NRF2 and inhibited the activation of its downstream cGAS-STING-NF-κB signaling pathway. Specifically, both mRNA and protein expression levels of NRF2 were markedly elevated (p < 0.001), while the mRNA and protein levels of cGAS, STING, and NF-κB were all significantly reduced (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Curcumin (CUR) can effectively inhibit the inflammatory response of synovial fibroblasts by activating the expression of NRF2 and subsequently suppressing the cGAS-STING-NF-κB signaling pathway. This study provides a new molecular mechanism target for curcumin in the treatment of RA and offers a theoretical basis for the intervention of autoimmune diseases with natural products. Full article

As the demand for poultry meat and eggs is increasing in the world, and the use of antibiotics is forbidden in Europe (since 2006), with countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, Bangladesh and China having imposed restriction or prohibitions, researchers and producers have sought for effective non-antibiotic alternatives. Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and phytobiotics are frequently used as alternatives in the field of poultry production. Phytobiotics, plant-derived substances, also referred to as botanicals or phytogenics, are used as animal diets supplements due to their wide range of bioactive compounds (menthol, curcumin, eugenol, allicin and others) and many advantages. They are classified as herbs, spices, plant extracts and essential oils. Some of the benefits offered by the dietary phytobiotics are antimicrobial, antioxidant, digestion stimulant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, carminative, antiseptic and appetite stimulant, the modulation of gut microbiota and improvement in the intestinal histology. Some representatives of phytobiotics are turmeric, oregano, sage, thyme, black pepper, ginger, garlic, echinacea, rosemary and others. Despite the significant potential of phytobiotics, their widespread adaptation is currently inhibited by challenges regarding cost-effectiveness (high price for raw materials), scarce regulatory frameworks, and inconsistent biological efficacy. The lack of standardization reflects a dual challenge, enclosing both the inherent chemical variability of raw botanical materials and the technical inconsistencies present throughout the industrial manufacturing, and extraction processes as producers use different machinery for extracting and producing the animal feed. To address these systemic impediments, a joint effort across the entire value chain—from primary producers to regulatory authorities—is essential for the development of unified testing protocols and standardization dosage guidelines that ensure the pharmacological safety and reliability of phytobiotic products. Full article

Curcumin, the major bioactive polyphenol derived from the edible rhizome turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), is recognized for its health-promoting properties. Despite well-documented antioxidant effects, its molecular mechanisms, particularly those involving post-transcriptional regulation, remain incompletely understood. This in vitro study identifies a novel microRNA-mediated pathway contributing to the antioxidant activity of curcumin in human hepatic LO2 cells. Curcumin treatment downregulated the stress-responsive microRNA miR-22-3p. Bioinformatics analysis and a dual-luciferase reporter assay identified malonyl-CoA-acyl carrier protein transacylase (MCAT), a mitochondrial enzyme, as a direct target of miR-22-3p. Modulation of this axis reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), enhanced total reducing capacity, increased activities of key antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx), and improved mitochondrial bioenergetics without altering membrane potential. Crucially, siRNA-mediated knockdown of MCAT attenuated the ROS-scavenging effect of curcumin. These findings reveal a mechanistic pathway wherein curcumin downregulates miR-22-3p, resulting in upregulation of MCAT and enhanced mitochondrial antioxidant defense. This work broadens the understanding of curcumin’s bioactivity from direct radical scavenging to include the post-transcriptional fine-tuning of mitochondrial metabolism. The study establishes a molecular framework for further exploration of curcumin’s potential in alleviating oxidative stress. Full article

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a key enzyme in inflammatory pathways and serves as a therapeutic target in the treatment of inflammation-related diseases. Curcumin, a bioactive polyphenol from turmeric, has gained scientific attention due to its potent anti-inflammatory properties, largely mediated through COX-2 inhibition. However, the poor solubility and limited bioavailability of Curcumin limit its potential as a therapeutic agent targeting inflammatory diseases. We used an in silico approach to identify Curcumin-like scaffolds as novel COX-2 inhibitors with improved drug-like properties and therapeutic potential. A pharmacophore model derived from the key binding moieties of Curcumin was used to virtually screen the ZINC-22 database, identifying 237 candidate compounds for further evaluation. Molecular docking further prioritized these compounds to 10 candidates with the highest binding affinities. Most hits obeyed Lipinski’s rules, except for ZINC32605424 and ZINC47133707, which exhibited high LogP and molecular weight, respectively. Toxicity screening indicated that ZINC47133693 and ZINC09499196 exhibited high safety profiles, with ZINC15942488 being highly toxic. Furthermore, certain hits such as ZINC32605424 and ZINC15942488 were predicted to be P-glycoprotein substrates and potential inhibitors of cytochrome P450. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of COX-2–ligand complexes, with critical interactions observed at conserved residues Tyr323 and Leu320. Binding energy calculations identified ZINC32605424 as the strongest COX-2 binder, mainly stabilized by Van der Waals forces. Overall, compounds such as ZINC32605424, ZINC08644750, ZINC47133693, and ZINC09499196 demonstrated potent COX-2 inhibition. These candidates show strong potential for further preclinical validation in studies investigating inflammation-related metabolic complications. Full article

Background: This work aimed to determine whether curcumin influences the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) in a murine model. Methodology: Four groups of six non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice (A, B, C, and D) and one CD1 control group (E) were included. Groups A, B, and C received different doses of turmeric curcumin (50 mg/kg body weight (bw), 100 mg/kg bw, and 200 mg/kg bw, respectively) for six weeks, while groups D and E received only the vehicle simultaneously. Glycemia, body weight, and inflammatory infiltrate in the pancreatic islets were determined in all cases. Also, insulin and vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression in pancreatic cells was evaluated relative to the basal expression in the control (group E). Results: Glycemia in all the animals treated with curcumin remained stable from weeks 1 to 6, while the control group showed hyperglycemia (≥500 mg/dL) and weight loss (16.7 g ± 1 g). Treated animals had less inflammatory infiltrate, while maintaining insulin and VDR expression in the pancreas, compared with the control group. Finally, the serum concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines in treated animals were statistically lower than in the control group without curcumin. Conclusions: Curcumin delays the onset of T1DM and reduces pancreatic inflammatory infiltrate. Full article

Curcumin is the main active ingredient in Curcuma longa turmeric, with a wide range of biological effects. It shows significant therapeutic potential in the field of stem cell therapy. This article aims to explore the modulatory effects and underlying mechanisms of curcumin on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), providing a theoretical basis based on experimental evidence for its clinical application in regenerative medicine. First, the physicochemical properties, main pharmacological activities, and metabolic pathways of curcumin are described. Subsequently, the key molecular mechanisms by which curcumin regulates MSCs are analyzed in depth, demonstrating that curcumin can significantly promote MSC proliferation and inhibit apoptosis by modulating signaling pathways and gene expression. Additionally, curcumin directs the differentiation of MSCs into osteoblasts and chondrocytes. It also inhibits their differentiation into adipocytes, thereby regulating the physiological functions of MSCs such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Finally, several main challenges in current research are highlighted. These include the low oral bioavailability of curcumin; the regulatory effects that vary depending on doses and microenvironmental conditions; the underlying mechanisms not being fully elucidated; the research being mostly limited to in vitro cell models and animal experiments; and the lack of quality standards and production process control systems for curcumin preparations. Full article

Curcumin, a natural polyphenol derived from turmeric, functions as a potent exogenous antioxidant and exhibits a range of benefits in the prevention and management of metabolic diseases. Despite its extremely low systemic bioavailability, curcumin demonstrates significant bioactivity in vivo, a phenomenon likely attributable to its accumulation in the intestines and subsequent modulation of systemic oxidative stress and inflammation. This article systematically reviews the comprehensive regulatory effects of curcumin on systemic metabolic networks—including glucose metabolism, amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and mitochondrial metabolism—and explores their molecular basis, particularly how curcumin facilitates systemic metabolic improvements by alleviating oxidative stress and interacting with inflammation. Preclinical studies indicate that curcumin accumulates in the intestines, where it remodels the microbiota through prebiotic effects, enhances barrier integrity, and reduces endotoxin influx—all of which are critical drivers of systemic oxidative stress and inflammation. Consequently, curcumin improves insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia across multiple organs (liver, muscle, adipose) by activating antioxidant defense systems (e.g., Nrf2), enhancing mitochondrial respiratory function (via PGC-1α/AMPK), and suppressing pro-inflammatory pathways (e.g., NF-κB). Clinical trials have corroborated these effects, demonstrating that curcumin supplementation significantly enhances glycemic control, lipid profiles, adipokine levels, and markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Therefore, curcumin emerges as a promising multi-target therapeutic agent against metabolic diseases through its systemic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory networks. Future research should prioritize addressing its bioavailability limitations and validating its efficacy through large-scale trials to translate this natural antioxidant into a precision medicine strategy for metabolic disorders. Full article