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International Journal of
eISSN: 2573-2889

Molecular Biology: Open Access

Mini Review Volume 4 Issue 1

Curcumin a known anti inflammatory and antioxidant agent

Nida Tabassum Khan

Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Informatics, Balochistan University of Information Technology Engineering and Management Sciences, Pakistan

Correspondence: Nida Tabassum Khan, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Informatics, Balochistan University of Information Technology Engineering and Management Sciences, (BUITEMS), Quetta, Pakistan

Received: December 21, 2018 | Published: February 5, 2019

Citation: Khan NT. Curcumin a known anti inflammatory and antioxidant agent. Int J Mol Biol Open Access. 2019;4(1):24-25. DOI: 10.15406/ijmboa.2019.04.00093

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Abstract

Curcumin is a yellow color naturally occurring plant pigment that is mostly found in turmeric and provides numerous health benefits. Therapeutic potentials of curcumin includes better skin health, reduced inflammation, low blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, enhance detoxification and relief from joint pain. Curcumin also exhibits anti-cancerous property making it suitable for the treatment of cancerous cells.

Keywords: curcuminoid, psoriasis, dermatitis, omega 3 fatty acid, rheumatoid arthritis, pulmonary embolism

Introduction

Curcumin is an active yellow color curcuminoid compound which is a naturally occurring plant pigment that is mostly found in turmeric and is native to Southeast Asia and India.1 It has an earthy odor and somewhat bitter taste and is mostly used in culinary.2 It is reported that pure turmeric residues contains about 3 percent of curcumin by weight.3 However curcumin is also available in the form of turmeric extract supplements which contains higher concentration of curcumin.4 It exhibits strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.5 In addition to that it is an excellent healing agent.6

Health benefits of curcumin

Some health benefits of curcumin are as follows:

Relieves inflammation

Curcumin is well known for its anti-inflammatory property that reduces chronic inflammation occurring in a number of medical conditions such as arthritis, bowel disease, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes etc.7 It has the ability to effectively block the function of those enzymes that contributes in inflammatory pathway.8

Supports skin health

Antioxidant property of curcumin helps in neutralizing free radicals that causes cell damage.9 In addition to that it accelerates healing of the wounds and collagen deposition in the skin.10 Curcumin is found to effective in treating psoriasis, dermatitis and scabies.11

Lowers high blood sugar

Diabetes associated symptoms such as impaired wound healing, increased thirst, vision loss, nerve damage, weight loss etc could be overcome by the use of curcumin which increases insulin secretion to reduce high glucose level in the blood.12,13

Treatment of cancers

Curcumin has an anti-cancerous effect on the growth of cancerous and tumour cells.14 It inhibits the function of cancer inducing growth factors and enzymes and blocks the signaling pathway hat is involved in the development of cancer in organs like breast, colon, pancreas and lungs.15,16

Treatment of mental illnesses

Curcumin aids in the treatment of depression and anxiety by reducing its associated symptoms.17 It increase the levels of omega-3 fatty acid that promotes the development of brain.18

Prevents blood clotting

Curcumin reduces platelet aggregation in the blood by inhibiting the formation of thromboxanes that causes clot formation in conditions like pulmonary embolism, stroke and deep vein thrombosis.19

Reduces joint pain

Relieve rheumatoid arthritis related symptoms like stiffness, pain, swelling etc.20

Regulates high cholesterol level

Curcumin boost cardiac health by lowering high cholesterol levels in blood.21

Improves detoxification

Curcumin stimulates detoxification in order to protect the liver from diseases, allowing removal of toxins and cancer causing substances from the body.22

Enhance brain function

Curcumin maintains cognitive function and prevent the risks of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.23 It elevates the amount of brain derived neuro tropic factors which is involved in enhancing brain function, improving memory and reduces oxidative damage.24,25

Side effects of curcumin

Some of the side effects of curcumin if consumed in excess are as follows:

Consuming curcumin in excess causes low glucose level, bleeding disorders, increased mensuration, diarrhea, nausea and low fertility.26 Besides it may also cause anemia due to decreased iron absorption.27 Excessive uterine contraction is another side effect of over dose of curcumin in pregnant woman leading to abortion.28

Conclusion

Thus curcumin provides a number of health benefits such as better skin health, reduced inflammation, low blood sugar levels etc

Acknowledgements

None.

Conflict of interest

The author declares no conflicts of interest.

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©2019 Khan. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.

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