Curcumin

What Is Curcumin?

1)Curcumin is a bright yellow chemical produced by plants of the Curcuma longa species. It is the principal curcuminoid of turmeric, a member of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It is sold as a herbal supplement, cosmetics ingredient, food flavoring, and food coloring.

2)Curcumin is a beta-diketone that is methane in which two of the hydrogens are substituted by feruloyl groups. A natural dyestuff found in the root of Curcuma longa. It has a role as a metabolite, an anti-inflammatory agent, an antineoplastic agent, a hepatoprotective agent, a flavouring agent, a biological pigment, a nutraceutical, an antifungal agent, a dye, a lipoxygenase inhibitor, a ligand, a radical scavenger, a contraceptive drug, an EC 3.5.1.98 (histone deacetylase) inhibitor, an immunomodulator, an iron chelator, a neuroprotective agent, a food colouring, an EC 1.1.1.21 (aldehyde reductase) inhibitor, an EC 1.1.1.25 (shikimate dehydrogenase) inhibitor, an EC 1.1.1.205 (IMP dehydrogenase) inhibitor, an EC 1.6.5.2 [NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (quinone)] inhibitor, an EC 1.8.1.9 (thioredoxin reductase) inhibitor, an EC 2.7.10.2 (non-specific protein-tyrosine kinase) inhibitor and a geroprotector. It is a polyphenol, a beta-diketone, an enone, a diarylheptanoid and an aromatic ether. It is functionally related to a ferulic acid.

3)Curcumin, also known as diferuloylmethane, is an active component in the golden spice turmeric (Curcuma longa) and in [Curcuma xanthorrhiza oil]. It is a highly pleiotropic molecule that exhibits antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, wound-healing, and antimicrobial activities. Due to these properties, curcumin has been investigated for the treatment and supportive care of clinical conditions including proteinuria, breast cancer, multiple myeloma, depression, and Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Despite proven efficacy against numerous experimental models, poor bioavailability due to poor absorption, rapid metabolism, and rapid systemic elimination have been shown to limit the therapeutic efficacy of curcumin. Curcumin is under investigation for the treatment and supportive care of various clinical conditions including mucositis, rectal cancer, prostate cancer, chronic schizophrenia, and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). 

Product Applications

1. Antioxidant Activity: Curcumin is a bioactive substance that can help fight inflammation, though very high dosesTrusted Source are required to produce medicinal results. Still, it means it has the potential to fight the inflammation that plays a role in many health conditions and diseases. That's why anything that can help fight chronic inflammation is potentially important in preventing and helping treat these conditions.

2. Boost Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor: Even in adulthood, brain neurons are capable of forming new connections, and in certain areas of the brain, they can multiply and increase in number. One of the main drivers of this process is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which plays a role in memory and learning, and it can be found in areas of the brain responsible for eating, drinking, and body weight. Many common brain disorders have been linked to decreased levels of BDNF protein, including depression and Alzheimer's disease. Both animal and human studies have found that curcumin may increase brain levels of BDNF. By doing this, it may be effective in delaying or even reversing many brain diseases and age-related decreases in brain function. It may also help improve memory and attention, which seems logical given its effects on BDNF levels. However, more studies are needed to confirm this. 

3. Lower Your Risk Of Heart Disease: Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the world. Research from reliable sources indicates that curcumin may help prevent many steps in the heart disease process. Specifically, it helps improve the function of endothelial cells, or the lining of blood vessels. Endothelial dysfunction is a major driver of heart disease. The condition occurs when your endothelial cells are unable to regulate blood pressure, blood clotting, and various other factors. Several other studies have also shown that curcumin can improve heart health. In addition, curcumin can help reduce inflammation and oxidation (as mentioned above), which can play a role in heart disease. 

4. Useful In treating Alzheimer's Disease: Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and may cause up to 70% of dementia cases. Inflammation and oxidative damage are known to play an important role in Alzheimer's disease, and curcumin has been found to have beneficial effects on both diseases. In addition, studies have shown that curcumin can help clear protein tangles of amyloid plaques caused by the disease. That said, whether curcumin can slow or even reverse the progression of Alzheimer's disease in humans is currently unknown and requires further research.

5. Against Depression: Curcumin has shown some promise in the treatment of mood disorders. Its positive effects on the brain include boosting the brain neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, reducing inflammation, and promoting brain plasticity. This suggests that this herb may be an effective antidepressant. Depression has also been linked to lower levels of BDNF and shrinking of the hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for learning and memory. Curcumin can help boost BDNF levels, potentially reversing these changes. A 2018 animal study also found that curcumin may help reduce anxiety, although studies in humans are needed to confirm this.