Curcumin, inflammation, and neurological disorders: How are they linked?

Unraveling the nutritional challenges in epilepsy: Risks, deficiencies, and management strategies: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Malnutrition and epilepsy share a complex bidirectional relationship, with malnutrition serving as a potential risk factor for epilepsy development, while epilepsy, in turn, often exerts profound effects on nutritional status. Nutritional interventions have emerged as a critical adjunctive approach in epilepsy management.

AIM

To explore the multifaceted associations between malnutrition and epilepsy, structured into three primary sections: (1) Elucidating the impact of malnutrition as a risk factor for epilepsy onset; (2) Examining the reciprocal influence of epilepsy on nutritional status, and (3) Evaluating diverse nutritional interventions in the management of epilepsy.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases utilizing defined keywords related to malnutrition, epilepsy, and nutritional interventions. Inclusion criteria encompassed various study types, including clinical trials, animal models, cohort studies, case reports, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, guidelines, editorials, and review articles. Four hundred sixteen pertinent references were identified, with 198 review articles, 153 research studies, 21 case reports, 24 meta-analyses, 14 systematic reviews, 4 guidelines, and 2 editorials meeting the predefined criteria.

RESULTS

The review revealed the intricate interplay between malnutrition and epilepsy, highlighting malnutrition as a potential risk factor in epilepsy development and elucidating how epilepsy often leads to nutritional deficiencies. Findings underscored the importance of nutritional interventions in managing epilepsy, showing their impact on seizure frequency, neuronal function, and overall brain health.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review emphasizes the bidirectional relationship between malnutrition and epilepsy while emphasizing the critical role of nutritional management in epilepsy treatment. The multifaceted insights underscore the need for a holistic approach to addressing nutritional aspects alongside conventional epilepsy management strategies.

Versatility of Caenorhabditis elegans as a Model Organism for Evaluating Foodborne Neurotoxins and Food Bioactive Compounds in Nutritional Neuroscience

Epidemiological evidence has shown that the regular ingestion of vegetables and fruits is associated with reduced risk of developing chronic diseases. The introduction of the 3Rs (replacement, reduction, and refinement) principle into animal experiments has led to the use of valid, cost-effective, and efficient alternative and complementary invertebrate animal models which are simpler and lower in the phylogenetic hierarchy. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), a nematode with a much simpler anatomy and physiology compared to mammals, share similarities with humans at the cellular and molecular levels, thus making it a valid model organism in neurotoxicology. This review explores the versatility of C. elegans in elucidating the neuroprotective mechanisms elicited by food bioactive compounds against neurotoxic effects of food- and environmental-related contaminants. Several signaling pathways linked to the molecular basis of neuroprotection exerted by bioactive compounds in chemically induced or transgenic C. elegans models of neurodegenerative diseases are also discussed. Specifically, the modulatory effects of bioactive compounds on the DAF-16/FoxO and SKN-1/Nrf2 signaling pathways, stress resistance- and autophagy-related genes, and antioxidant defense enzyme activities were highlighted. Altogether, C. elegans represent a valuable model in nutritional neuroscience for the identification of promising neuroprotective agents and neurotherapeutic targets which could help in overcoming the limitations of current therapeutic agents for neurotoxicity and neurodegenerative diseases.

Targeting Platelet Activating Factor Signaling for Therapeutic Benefits in Neurodegenerative Disorders

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDs), including dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD), are age-related diseases closely associated with chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, gene mutations, autoimmune-derived inflammation, and other external risk factors. They are characterized by progressive neuronal loss, cognitive decline, and/or motor dysfunction, with chronic inflammation being a key player in intensifying NDs' occurrence. One of the most important molecular inflammatory mediators linking inflammation to NDs is the platelet-activating factor (PAF) and its pivotal signaling for regulating neuroinflammation, apoptosis, and neuronal damage. Dysregulation of PAF activity and metabolism/levels, along with overexpression of its receptor (PAF-R) have been associated with exacerbated inflammatory responses, further aggravating neurodegeneration. This article highlights the role of PAF in neurodegeneration, with a particular focus on novel insights into the potential medicinal use of PAF inhibitors for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. We evaluate the recently proposed concept of targeting the PAF signaling pathway through either natural and/or synthetic inhibitors or a combination of both. It explores the potential of these inhibitors to offer significant preventative and therapeutic benefits against NDs, likely through anti-inflammatory anti-aging effects and by slowing down the disease progression and preserving cognitive and motor dysfunction. Current status and future perspectives of such therapeutic approaches are also discussed.

Curcumin Nanocarriers in the Protection Against Iron- and Alcohol-Induced Oxidative Stress in a Cellular Model of Liver Disease

During chronic alcohol misuse, hepatic iron overload occurs, leading to exacerbated oxidative stress and liver injury. The aim was to study formulations encapsulated with the antioxidant curcumin to assess their ability protect against oxidative stress in a model of alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) combined with iron. HepG2 (VL-17A) cells were treated with iron (50 µM) alone or with alcohol (200 to 350 mM) over 72 h and markers of oxidative damage, cell death, and mitochondrial function were assessed. Nanoformulations encapsulating curcumin were also studied. VL-17A cells treated with both ethanol and iron showed significant decreases in cell viability (64%, p < 0.0001) when compared to control, and a 56% decrease (p = 0.0279) when compared to iron-only treatment. Iron-alone treatment caused a 115% increase (p < 0.0001) in ROS at 48 h as well as increases of up to 118% when treated with 200 mM ethanol + 50 μM iron (p < 0.0001), compared to control DMEM. The study found that 10 µM curcumin DSPE-PEG increased cell viability by 17% and 41% when compared to control and iron treatment alone, respectively. Formulations reduced ROS by 36% (p = 0.0015) when compared to iron-alone treatment. In summary, encapsulated curcumin provided antioxidant capacity and reduced oxidative stress, demonstrating the therapeutic potential for curcumin formulations in ALD combined with iron dysregulation.

Behavioral and Biochemical Insights into the Therapeutic Potential of Mitocurcumin in a Zebrafish-Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) Epilepsy Model

Background/Objectives: Epilepsy is a complex neurological disorder with a strong link to oxidative stress, which contributes to seizure susceptibility and neuronal damage. This study aims to investigate the effects of curcumin (Cur), sodium valproate (VPA), and mitocurcumin (MitoCur), a mitochondria-targeted curcumin, on behavioral and oxidative stress parameters in a zebrafish model of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures. Methods: Adult zebrafish were exposed to two concentrations (0.25 and 0.5 µM for Cur and MitoCur; 0.25 and 0.5 mM for VPA). Behavioral assessments, including locomotion, spatial exploration, and directional movement, were conducted using EthoVision XT tracking software. Oxidative stress markers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total antioxidant status (TAS), were analyzed in brain homogenates. Results: Behavioral analyses indicated dose-dependent effects, with higher doses generally reducing activity. MitoCur at 0.25 µM enhanced antioxidant defenses and reduced oxidative damage, while higher doses exhibited a pro-oxidant shift. VPA at 0.25 mM improved TAS without significantly altering MDA levels. Conclusions: These findings emphasize the importance of dose optimization in antioxidant-based epilepsy treatments and highlight the potential of MitoCur as a targeted therapeutic option.

Oxidative stress in a cellular model of alcohol-related liver disease: protection using curcumin nanoformulations

Alcohol-related liver disease (ARLD) is a global health issue causing significant morbidity and mortality, due to lack of suitable therapeutic options. ARLD induces a spectrum of biochemical and cellular alterations, including chronic oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell death, resulting in hepatic injury. Natural antioxidant compounds such as curcumin have generated interest in ARLD due to their ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), however, therapy using these compounds is limited due to poor bioavailability and stability. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the antioxidant potential of free antioxidants and curcumin entrapped formulations against oxidative damage in an ARLD cell model. HepG2 (VL-17A) cells were treated with varying concentrations of alcohol (from 200 to 350 mM) and parameters of oxidative stress and mitochondrial function were assessed over 72 h. Data indicated 350 mM of ethanol led to a significant decrease in cell viability at 72 h, and a significant increase in ROS at 30 min. A substantial number of cells were in late apoptosis at 72 h, and a reduction in the mitochondrial membrane potential was also found. Pre-treatment with curcumin nanoformulations increased viability, as well as, reducing ROS at 2 h, 48 h and 72 h. In summary, antioxidants and entrapped nanoformulations of curcumin were able to ameliorate reduced cell viability and increased ROS caused by ethanol treatment. This demonstrates their potential at mitigating oxidative damage and warrants further investigation to evaluate their efficacy for ARLD therapy.

Relationship of Curcumin with Aging and Alzheimer and Parkinson Disease, the Most Prevalent Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Narrative Review

The elderly population is increasing worldwide every day. Age is a significant factor in the progression of neurological diseases, which can also cause cognitive decline and memory disorders. Inflammation and oxidative stress are primary drivers of senescence and disorders, particularly those associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Bioactive phytochemicals are considered a promising therapeutic strategy in combating aging and age-related pathological conditions. One of the phytochemicals with diverse biological properties encompassing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, antifungal, antidepressant, anti-allergic, and anti-aging properties is curcumin. Curcumin, a polyphenolic structure with a distinct orange hue and unique chemical properties, is derived from the roots of Curcuma longa, a member of the Zingiberaceae family, commonly known as turmeric. It has been noted that the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases is low in societies that consume curcumin widely. Therefore, this review investigates the effect of curcumin on aging and Alzheimer and Parkinson disease, which are the most prevalent age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Natural drug delivery systems for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

Today, herbal drugs are prominent in the pharmaceutical industry due to their well-known therapeutic and side effects. Plant-based compounds often face limitations such as poor solubility, low bioavailability, and instability in physiological environments, restricting their therapeutic efficacy and delivery. Nanotechnology-based solutions, including nanoparticle formulations and advanced delivery systems like liposomes and transfersomes, address these issues by enhancing solubility, stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery, thereby optimizing the therapeutic potential of phytoactive compounds. Neuroinflammation can be a cause of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Consequently, there is a need for the optimal delivery of a pharmacological anti-inflammatory agents to the CNS. Thus, the non-invasive administration of a stable compound at a therapeutic concentration is needed to assure molecule crossing through the blood-brain barrier. Natural resources have more structural diversity and novelty than synthetic compounds, e.g. plant-derived drug products have higher molecular weights, incorporate more oxygen atoms, and are more complex. As a result, plant-derived products have unique features which can be used to effectively modulate neuroinflammation. Therefore, this review aims to identify herbal molecules capable of targeting neuroinflammation and present novel strategies for their efficient delivery.

An insight for the inhibition of anxiolytic and anti-convulsant effects in zebrafish using the curcumins via exploring molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations

In the contemporary landscape, anxiety and seizures stand as major areas of concern, prompting researchers to explore potential drugs against them. While numerous drugs have shown the potential to treat these two neurological conditions, certain adverse effects emphasize the need for development of safer alternatives. This study seeks to employ an in silico approach to evaluate natural compounds, particularly curcumins, as potential inhibitors of GABA-AT to mitigate anxiety and seizures. The proposed methodology includes generating a compound library, minimizing energy, conducting molecular docking using AutoDock, molecular dynamics simulations using Amber, and MM-GBSA calculations. Remarkably, CMPD50 and CMPD88 exhibited promising binding affinities of - 9.0 kcal/mol and - 9.1 kcal/mol with chains A and C of GABA-AT, respectively. Further, MM-GBSA calculations revealed binding free energies of - 10.88 kcal/mol and - 10.72 kcal/mol in CMPD50 and CMPD88, respectively. ADME analysis showed that these compounds contain drug-likeness properties and might be considered as potential drug candidates. The findings from this study will have practical applications in the field of drug discovery for the development of safer and effective drugs for treatment of anxiety and seizures. Overall, this study will lay the groundwork for providing valuable insights into the potential therapeutic effects of curcumins in alleviating anxiety and seizures, establishing a computational framework for future experimental validation.

Therapeutic potential of Curcuma longa against monkeypox: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and computational insights

Background

Monkeypox (Mpox) is a re-emerging zoonotic disease with limited therapeutic options, necessitating the exploration of novel antiviral agents. Curcuma longa (turmeric) is a widely used medicinal plant known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, primarily attributed to its bioactive curcuminoids.

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of C. longa aqueous extract (CAE) against monkeypox through phytochemical characterization, biological assays, and computational analyses.

Methodology

Phytochemical analysis, including HPLC, identified key Curcumin, Bisdemethoxycurcumin, Demethoxycurcumin, Tetrahydrocurcumin, Curcuminol, and Ar-curcumene. The DPPH assay and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were employed to assess antioxidant activity. Anti-inflammatory effects were determined by measuring the inhibition of heat-induced protein denaturation. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to evaluate the interactions between curcuminoids and monkeypox virus proteins.

Results

The aqueous extract of C. longa was prepared via decoction, yielding 7.80% ± 0.81% extract with curcumin as the predominant compound (36.33%). The CAE exhibited strong antioxidant activity with a TAC of 36.55 ± 0.01 µg GAE/g d.w., an IC50 of 0.77 ± 0.04 mg/mL in the DPPH assay, andan EC50 of FRAP of 3.46 ± 0.11 mg/mL. Anti-inflammatory analysis showed 78.88 ± 0.53%inhibition for egg albumin and 90.51 ± 0.29%for BSA. Molecular docking identified demethoxycurcumin (DMC) as the most potent compound, with binding affinities of -8.42 kcal/mol (4QVO), -7.61 kcal/mol (8CEQ), and -7.88 kcal/mol (8QRV). MD simulations confirmed the stability of DMC complexes, with the 4QVO-DMC interaction being the most stable, showing RMSD fluctuations within a range of 0.2-0.6 nm, with an average fluctuation of 0.4 nm, and consistent compactness with Rg values remaining between 1.8 and 2.0 nm, with a fluctuation of only 0.2 nm over 100 ns.

Discussion

The results demonstrate the multifunctional therapeutic potential of C. longa, driven by its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The computational findings suggest that curcuminoids, particularly demethoxycurcumin, could serve as promising antiviral agents against monkeypox. These findings pave the way for further preclinical studies to validate the antiviral efficacy of C. longa bioactives and their potential applications in combating viral infections.

Neuroprotective Effect of Curcumin-Metavanadate in the Hippocampus of Aged Rats

Brain aging is a multifactorial process that includes a reduction in the biological and metabolic activity of individuals. Oxidative stress and inflammatory processes are characteristic of brain aging. Given the current problems, the need arises to implement new therapeutic approaches. Polyoxidovanadates (POV), as well as curcumin, have stood out for their participation in a variety of biological activities. This work aimed to evaluate the coupling of metavanadate and curcumin (Cuma-MV) on learning, memory, redox balance, neuroinflammation, and cell death in the hippocampal region (CA1 and CA3) and dentate gyrus (DG) of aged rats. Rats 18 months old were administered a daily dose of curcumin (Cuma), sodium metavanadate (MV), or Cuma-MV for two months. The results demonstrated that administration of Cuma-MV for 60 days in aged rats improved short- and long-term recognition memory, decreased reactive oxygen species, and substantially improved lipoperoxidation in the hippocampus. Furthermore, the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase increased in animals treated with Cuma-MV. It is important to highlight that the treatment with Cuma-MV exhibited a significantly greater effect than the treatments with MV or Cuma in all the parameters evaluated. Finally, we conclude that Cuma-MV represents a potential therapeutic option in the prevention and treatment of cognitive decline associated with aging.

Neuroprotective effects of nutraceuticals and natural products in traumatic brain injury

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a global healthcare concern with considerable mortality and morbidity. Early diagnosis and timely treatment are critical for optimal clinical prognosis in TBI patients. Injury to the brain tissue following TBI is categorized into primary and secondary injury events, with the former being acute, while the latter evolves over a long period. Although surgical intervention is effective to treat primary injury, secondary injury events that could contribute to long term neurological deterioration, cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration do not have appropriate pharmacotherapy. To address this lacuna, studies based on modern medicine to explore novel drugs in TBI have met with limited success. This has led to focussed efforts to assess natural products capable of targeting multiple pathways in TBI. Complex natural mixtures and isolated phytochemicals capable of targeting redox mechanisms, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, cell death pathways and other specific targets etc. have been characterized. However, the field has met with certain limitations and challenges with inadequate clinical studies and trials being the most important concern. The current review provides an overview of the dietary factors, nutraceuticals, natural extracts, and phytochemicals that could be potentially applied in neuroprotection, TBI therapy and long-term management of cognitive symptoms and other neurological deficits.

Role of PCBP2 in regulating nanovesicles loaded with curcumin to mitigate neuroferroptosis in neural damage caused by heat stroke

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which nanovesicles (NVs) transport curcumin(CUR) across the blood-brain barrier to treat hypothalamic neural damage induced by heat stroke by regulating the expression of poly(c)-binding protein 2 (PCBP2).

METHODS

Initially, NVs were prepared from macrophages using a continuous extrusion method. Subsequently, CUR was loaded into NVs using sonication, yielding engineered cell membrane Nanovesicles loaded with curcumin (NVs-CUR), which were characterized and subjected to in vitro and in vivo tracking analysis. Evaluations included assessing the toxicity of NVs-CUR using the MTT assay, evaluating neuroprotection of NVs-CUR against H2O2-induced oxidative stress damage in PC12 cells, examining effects on cell morphology and quantity, and detecting ferroptosis-related markers through Western blot and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Proteomic analysis was conducted on PC12 cells treated with NVs (n = 3) and NVs-CUR (n = 3) to identify downstream key factors. Subsequently, the expression of key factors was modulated, and rescue experiments were performed to validate the impact of NVs-CUR through the regulation of key factor expression. Furthermore, a mouse model of hypothalamic neural damage induced by heat stroke was established, where CUR, NVs-CUR, and ferroptosis inducer Erastin were administered to observe mouse survival rates, conduct nerve function deficit scoring, perform histological staining, and measure levels of inflammation and oxidative stress factors in hypothalamic tissue.

RESULTS

NVs-CUR was successfully prepared with excellent stability, serving as an advantageous drug delivery system that effectively targets brain injury sites or neurons both in vitro and in vivo. Subsequent in vitro cell experiments demonstrated the biocompatibility of NVs-CUR, showing superior protective effects against H2O2-induced PC12 cell damage and reduced ferroptosis compared to CUR. Moreover, in the mouse model of hypothalamic neural damage induced by heat stroke, NVs-CUR exhibited enhanced therapeutic effects. Proteomic analysis revealed that NVs-CUR exerted its effects through the regulation of key protein PCBP2; silencing PCBP2 reversed the protective effect of NVs-CUR on neural damage and its inhibition of ferroptosis. Additionally, NVs-CUR regulated solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) expression by PCBP2; overexpression of SLC7A11 reversed the promotion of neural damage and ferroptosis by silencing PCBP2. Animal experiments indicated that ferroptosis inducers reversed the improved survival and nerve function observed with NVs-CUR, silencing PCBP2 reversed the ameliorative effects of NVs-CUR on hypothalamic neural injury induced by heat stroke, and overexpression of SLC7A11 further reversed the adverse effects of silencing PCBP2 on hypothalamic neural injury induced by heat stroke. This suggests that NVs-CUR alleviates hypothalamic neural damage induced by heat stroke by targeting the PCBP2/SLC7A11 axis to reduce neuronal ferroptosis.

CONCLUSION

This study successfully developed engineered cell membrane NVs-CUR with neuron-targeting properties. NVs-CUR increased the expression of PCBP2, maintained the stability of SLC7A11 mRNA, reduced ferroptosis, and ultimately alleviated hypothalamic neuroinflammation induced by heatstroke.

Curcumin Modulates Platelet Activation and ROS Production Induced by Amyloid Peptides: New Perspectives in Attenuating Prothrombotic Risk in Alzheimer's Disease Patients

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Amyloid peptides, whose accumulation in the brain as senile plaques is associated with the onset of Alzheimer's disease, are also found in cerebral vessels and in circulation. In the bloodstream, amyloid peptides promote platelet adhesion, activation, oxidative stress, and thrombosis, contributing to the cardiovascular complications observed in Alzheimer's disease patients. Natural compounds, such as curcumin, are known to modulate platelet activation induced by the hemostatic stimuli thrombin and convulxin. In this study, we investigated the ability of curcumin to modulate platelet activation triggered by amyloid peptides, and we compared its effects with those displayed on platelet activation induced by physiological agonists.

METHODS

Commercial ultrapure curcumin was used, and platelet aggregation, granule secretion, phosphorylation of selected signaling proteins, and reactive oxygen species production were analyzed on isolated human platelets.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrate that curcumin effectively suppressed platelet aggregation induced by fibrillar amyloid peptides. This effect was associated with the reduction in intracellular signaling pathways involving PKC, PI3K, and MAPK. By contrast, platelet aggregation and activation induced by thrombin and convulxin were only partially reduced by preincubation with curcumin. Moreover, curcumin completely suppressed granule secretion only when platelets were stimulated with hemostatic agonists, but it had no effects upon stimulation with amyloid peptides. Additionally, curcumin reduced the production of reactive oxygen species induced by amyloid peptides with a stronger efficiency compared to platelets stimulated with thrombin.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that curcumin displays selective and potent inhibitory activity on platelet responses to pathological stimuli, such as fibrillar amyloid peptides.

Soothing the Itch: The Role of Medicinal Plants in Alleviating Pruritus in Palliative Care

Chronic pruritus, or persistent itching, is a debilitating condition that severely impacts quality of life, especially in palliative care settings. Traditional treatments often fail to provide adequate relief or are associated with significant side effects, prompting interest in alternative therapies. This review investigates the antipruritic potential of eight medicinal plants: chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis), calendula (Calendula officinalis), curcumin (Curcuma longa), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), peppermint (Mentha piperita), and evening primrose (Oenothera biennis). These plants are analyzed for their traditional applications, active bioactive compounds, mechanisms of action, clinical evidence, usage, dosage, and safety profiles. Comprehensive searches were conducted in databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and b-on, focusing on in vitro, animal, and clinical studies using keywords like "plant", "extract", and "pruritus". Studies were included regardless of publication date and limited to English-language articles. Findings indicate that active compounds such as polysaccharides in aloe vera, curcuminoids in turmeric, and menthol in peppermint exhibit significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-modulating properties. Chamomile and calendula alleviate itching through anti-inflammatory and skin-soothing effects, while lavender and licorice offer antimicrobial benefits alongside antipruritic relief. Evening primrose, rich in gamma-linolenic acid, is effective in atopic dermatitis-related itching. Despite promising preclinical and clinical results, challenges remain in standardizing dosages and formulations. The review highlights the necessity of further clinical trials to ensure efficacy and safety, advocating for integrating these botanical therapies into complementary palliative care practices. Such approaches emphasize holistic treatment, addressing chronic pruritus's physical and emotional burden, thereby enhancing patient well-being.

The Oxidative Stress in Epilepsy-Focus on Melatonin

Oxidative stress develops when there is an excess of oxidants leading to molecular and cellular damage. Seizure activity leads to oxidative stress and the resulting increased lipid peroxidation. Generally, antiseizure medications reduce oxidative stress, although the data on levetiracetam are ambiguous. Exogenous antioxidants (vitamin E, resveratrol, hesperidin, and curcumin) have been documented to exert an anticonvulsant effect in animal models of seizures and some recent clinical data point to curcumin as an affective adjuvant for the therapy of pediatric intractable epilepsy. Melatonin is an antioxidant with an ability to attenuate seizure activity induced by various convulsants in rodents. Its clinical effectiveness has been also confirmed in a number of clinical studies. Experimental studies point to a possibility that endogenous melatonin may possess proconvulsive activity. Moreover, some scarce clinical data seem to express this view; however, a limited number of patients were included. The anticonvulsant activity of exogenous melatonin may involve GABA-mediated inhibition, while endogenous melatonin may act as a proconvulsant due to a decrease in the brain dopaminergic transmission. Antioxidants, including melatonin, may be considered as adjuvants in the therapy of epilepsy and melatonin, in addition, in patients with epilepsy suffering from sleep disorders.

Assessing the efficacy of carbon nanodots derived from curcumin on infectious diseases

INTRODUCTION

The threat of new, emerging, and multidrug-resistant microbes is increasing which has created the necessity for new antimicrobials. In this regard, nanotechnology can be an alternative for the treatment of infectious microbes. Curcumin has been used since ancient times as antimicrobials; however, it has limitations due to its less aqueous solubility, bioavailability, and biocompatibility. This problem can be solved by curcumin-derived carbon nanodots, which are emerging antimicrobials of <10 nm size, water-soluble, biocompatible, less toxic, and fluorescent.

AREAS COVERED

The review discusses the application of curcumin-derived carbon nanodots against various pathogenic microbes including bacteria and dreaded viruses like SARS-CoV-2. In addition, the role of curcumin carbon nanodots in biolabelling of pathogenic microbes, mechanism of action, bioimaging, and therapy has been critically examined.

EXPERT OPINION

Carbon nanodots play an important role in combating pathogenic microbes by early diagnosis, bioimaging, nanocarrier for antimicrobial drugs, and therapy of infectious diseases. Curcumin carbon nanodots have already demonstrated their benefits of being water soluble, bioavailable, and biocompatible. However, more thorough research is needed to understand the efficacy and safety of curcumin carbon nanodots. In the future, curcumin-derived carbon nanodots can be used as alternative antimicrobial agents to fight microbial infections including multidrug-resistant microbes.

Role of Plant Phytochemicals: Resveratrol, Curcumin, Luteolin and Quercetin in Demyelination, Neurodegeneration, and Epilepsy

Polyphenols are an important group of biologically active compounds present in almost all food sources of plant origin and are primarily known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidative capabilities. Numerous studies have indicated their broad spectrum of pharmacological properties and correlations between their increased supply in the human diet and lower prevalence of various disorders. The positive effects of polyphenols application are mostly discussed in terms of cardiovascular system well-being. However, in recent years, they have also increasingly mentioned as prophylactic and therapeutic factors in the context of neurological diseases, being able to suppress the progression of such disorders and soothe accompanying symptoms. Among over 8000 various compounds, that have been identified, the most widely examined comprise resveratrol, curcumin, luteolin and quercetin. This review focuses on in vitro assessments, animal models and clinical trials, reflecting the most actual state of knowledge, of mentioned polyphenols' medicinal capabilities in epilepsy, demyelinating and neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system.

An enzyme-mimicking reactive oxygen species scavenger targeting oxidative stress-inflammation cycle ameliorates IR-AKI by inhibiting pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4

Rationale: Ischemia-reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury (IR-AKI), characterized by the abrupt decline in renal function, is distinguished by the intricate interplay between oxidative stress and inflammation. In this study, a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger-CF@PDA was developed to effectively target antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways to disrupt the oxidative stress-inflammation cycle in IR-AKI. Methods: UV-vis absorption spectra, FTIR spectra, and TEM were employed to determine the successful construction of CF@P. ABTS, TMB, and NBT analyses were performed to detect the antioxidant ability and enzyme-mimicking ability of CF@P. In vitro and in vitro, the antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effect of CF@P was detected by MTT, qPCR, fluorescence, and flow cytometry. Multi-omics revealed the mechanism of CF@P in IR-AKI therapy, and molecular docking was further used to determine the mechanism. MRI and photoacoustic imaging were employed to explore the dual-mode imaging capacity of CF@P in IR-AKI management. Results: CF@P could disrupt the oxidative stress-inflammatory cascade by scavenging ROS, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and modulation of macrophage polarization. Subsequent multi-omics indicated that the renal protective effects may be attributed to the inhibition of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4). Metabolomics demonstrated that CF@P could improve the production of antioxidant compounds and reduce nephrotoxicity. Additionally, CF@P exhibited promising capabilities in T1-MRI and photoacoustic imaging for AKI management. Conclusions: Collectively, CF@P, possessing antioxidant/anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting PDK4, as well as imaging capabilities and superior biocompatibility, holds promise as a therapeutic strategy for IR-AKI.

Potential role of solid lipid curcumin particle (SLCP) as estrogen replacement therapy in mitigating TDP-43-related neuropathy in the mouse model of ALS disease

BACKGROUND

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was first identified in 1869, but it wasn't until the 2014 Ice Bucket Challenge that widespread attention was drawn to the disease. Since then, substantial research has been dedicated to developing treatments for ALS. Despite this, only three drugs - riluzole, edaravone and AMX0035, have been approved for clinical use, and they can only temporarily alleviate mild symptoms without significant disease modification or cure. Therefore, there remains a critical unmet need to identify disease modifying or curative therapies for ALS. The higher incidence and more severe progression of ALS and FTLD (frontotemporal lobar degeneration) observed in men and postmenopausal woman compared to young women suggests that sex hormones may significantly influence disease onset and progression. In both animal models and human clinical studies, 17β estradiol (E2) has been shown to delay and improve the outcomes of many neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we examined the role of TDP-43 in the regulation of estrogen-related enzymes, CYP19A1 and CYP3A4. In addition, we examined the impact of curcumin on the regulation of estrogen E2 levels and TDP-43-associated neuropathy as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of FTLD and ALS.

METHODS

Prp-TDP-43A315T mice was used as a model of ALS/FTLD to examine the expression patterns of E2 and its biosynthesis and degradation enzymes, CYP19A1 and CYP3A4. Moreover, the molecular mechanisms and the potency of solid lipid curcumin particles (SLCP) as an E2 replacement therapy for TDP-43 associated neuropathy was analyzed. We further examined the survival rates and the pathological TDP43 patterns in female and male Prp-TDP-43A315T mice administrated with or without SLCP. In addition, the changed expression levels of enzymes corresponding to E2 biosynthesis and degradation in the spinal cord of female and male Prp-TDP-43A315T mice with or without SLCP were determined.

RESULTS

We found that in addition to E2, the expression patterns of CYP19A1 and CYP3A4 proteins differed between Prp-TDP-43A315T mice compared to wild-type control, suggesting that toxic phosphorylated TDP43 oligomers may disrupt the balance between CYP19A1 and CYP3A4 expression, leading to reduced estrogen biosynthesis and accelerated degradation. In addition, we found that oral administration of SLCP prolonged the survival rates in female Prp-TDP-43A315T mice and significantly reduced the pathological insoluble phosphorylated TDP-43 species. Furthermore, SLCP attenuated disease progression associated with TDP-43-related neuropathies through modulating estrogen biosynthesis and the activity of CYP450 enzymes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that Prp-TDP-43A315T mice exhibit altered estradiol levels. Moreover, we demonstrated the efficacy of SLCP as an estrogen replacement therapy in mitigating TDP-43-associated disease progression and pathogenesis. These findings suggest that SLCP could be a promising strategy to induce E2 expression for the treatment of ALS and FTLD.

The role of isothiocyanate-rich plants and supplements in neuropsychiatric disorders: a review and update

Neuroinflammation in response to environmental stressors is an important common pathway in a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders. Responses to immune-mediated stress can lead to epigenetic changes and the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. Isothiocyanates (ITC) have shown promise in combating oxidative stress and inflammation in the nervous system as well as organ systems. While sulforaphane from broccoli is the most widely studied ITC for biomedical applications, ITC and their precursor glucosinolates are found in many species of cruciferous and other vegetables including moringa. In this review, we examine both clinical and pre-clinical studies of ITC on the amelioration of neuropsychiatric disorders (neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and other) from 2018 to the present, including documentation of protocols for several ongoing clinical studies. During this time, there have been 16 clinical studies (9 randomized controlled trials), most of which reported on the effect of sulforaphane on autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. We also review over 80 preclinical studies examining ITC treatment of brain-related dysfunctions and disorders. The evidence to date reveals ITC have great potential for treating these conditions with minimal toxicity. The authors call for well-designed clinical trials to further the translation of these potent phytochemicals into therapeutic practice.

Therapeutic effect of targeted antioxidant natural products

The exploration of targeted therapy has proven to be a highly promising avenue in the realm of drug development research. The human body generates a substantial amount of free radicals during metabolic processes, and if not promptly eliminated, these free radicals can lead to oxidative stress, disrupting homeostasis and potentially contributing to chronic diseases and cancers. Before the development of contemporary medicine with synthetic pharmaceuticals and antioxidants, there was a long-standing practice of employing raw, natural ingredients to cure a variety of illnesses. This practice persisted even after the active antioxidant molecules were known. The ability of natural antioxidants to neutralise excess free radicals in the human body and so prevent and cure a wide range of illnesses. The term "natural antioxidant" refers to compounds derived from plants or other living organisms that have the ability to control the production of free radicals, scavenge them, stop free radical-mediated chain reactions, and prevent lipid peroxidation. These compounds have a strong potential to inhibit oxidative stress. Phytochemicals (antioxidants) derived from plants, such as polyphenols, carotenoids, vitamins, and others, are central to the discussion of natural antioxidants. Not only may these chemicals increase endogenous antioxidant defenses, affect communication cascades, and control gene expression, but they have also shown strong free radical scavenging properties. This study comprehensively summarizes the primary classes of natural antioxidants found in different plant and animal source that contribute to the prevention and treatment of diseases. Additionally, it outlines the research progress and outlines future development prospects. These discoveries not only establish a theoretical groundwork for pharmacological development but also present inventive ideas for addressing challenges in medical treatment.

Neuroprotective Effects of Curcumin in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Curcumin, a hydrophobic polyphenol extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, is now considered a candidate drug for the treatment of neurological diseases, including Parkinson's Disease (PD), Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Huntington's Disease (HD), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and prion disease, due to its potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant potential, anticancerous, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, antiproliferative, and antibacterial activities. Traditionally, curcumin has been used for medicinal and dietary purposes in Asia, India, and China. However, low water solubility, poor stability in the blood, high rate of metabolism, limited bioavailability, and little capability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) have limited the clinical application of curcumin, despite the important pharmacological activities of this drug. A variety of nanocarriers, including liposomes, micelles, dendrimers, cubosome nanoparticles, polymer nanoparticles, and solid lipid nanoparticles have been developed with great success to effectively deliver the active drug to brain cells. Functionalization on the surface of nanoparticles with brain-specific ligands makes them target-specific, which should significantly improve bioavailability and reduce harmful effects. The aim of this review is to summarize the studies on curcumin and/or nanoparticles containing curcumin in the most common neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting the high neuroprotective potential of this nutraceutical.

Curcumin protects against aging-related stress and dysfunction through autophagy activation in rat brain

BACKGROUND

Curcumin (Curcuma longa) is a well-known medicinal plant that induces autophagy in various model species, helping maintain cellular homeostasis. Its role as a caloric restriction mimetic (CRM) is being investigated. This study explores the potential of curcumin (CUR), as a CRM, to provide neuroprotection in D galactose induced accelerated senescence model of rats through modulation of autophagy. For six weeks, male rats received simultaneous supplementation of D-gal (300 mg/kg b.w., subcutaneously) and CUR (200 mg/kg b.w., oral).

METHOD AND RESULTS

The oxidative stress indices, antioxidants, and electron transport chain complexes in brain tissues were measured using standard methods. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) gene expression analysis was used to evaluate the expression of autophagy, neuroprotection, and aging marker genes. Our results show that curcumin significantly (p ≤ 0.05) enhanced the level of antioxidants and considerably lowered the level of oxidative stress markers. Supplementing with CUR also increased the activity of electron transport chain complexes in the mitochondria of aged brain tissue, demonstrating the antioxidant potential of CUR at the mitochondrial level. CUR was found to upregulate the expression of the aging marker gene (SIRT-1) and the genes associated with autophagy (Beclin-1 and ULK-1), as well as neuroprotection (NSE) in the brain. The expression of IL-6 and TNF-α was downregulated.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate that CUR suppresses oxidative damage brought on by aging by modulating autophagy. These findings imply that curcumin might be beneficial for neuroprotection in aging and age-related disorders.

Exosomes in Vascular/Neurological Disorders and the Road Ahead

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington's disease (HD), stroke, and aneurysms, are characterized by the abnormal accumulation and aggregation of disease-causing proteins in the brain and spinal cord. Recent research suggests that proteins linked to these conditions can be secreted and transferred among cells using exosomes. The transmission of abnormal protein buildup and the gradual degeneration in the brains of impacted individuals might be supported by these exosomes. Furthermore, it has been reported that neuroprotective functions can also be attributed to exosomes in neurodegenerative diseases. The potential neuroprotective functions may play a role in preventing the formation of aggregates and abnormal accumulation of proteins associated with the disease. The present review summarizes the roles of exosomes in neurodegenerative diseases as well as elucidating their therapeutic potential in AD, PD, ALS, HD, stroke, and aneurysms. By elucidating these two aspects of exosomes, valuable insights into potential therapeutic targets for treating neurodegenerative diseases may be provided.

Curcumin in Cancer and Inflammation: An In-Depth Exploration of Molecular Interactions, Therapeutic Potentials, and the Role in Disease Management

This paper delves into the diverse and significant roles of curcumin, a polyphenolic compound from the Curcuma longa plant, in the context of cancer and inflammatory diseases. Distinguished by its unique molecular structure, curcumin exhibits potent biological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and potential anticancer effects. The research comprehensively investigates curcumin's molecular interactions with key proteins involved in cancer progression and the inflammatory response, primarily through molecular docking studies. In cancer, curcumin's effectiveness is determined by examining its interaction with pivotal proteins like CDK2, CK2α, GSK3β, DYRK2, and EGFR, among others. These interactions suggest curcumin's potential role in impeding cancer cell proliferation and survival. Additionally, the paper highlights curcumin's impact on inflammation by examining its influence on proteins such as COX-2, CRP, PDE4, and MD-2, which are central to the inflammatory pathway. In vitro and clinical studies are extensively reviewed, shedding light on curcumin's binding mechanisms, pharmacological impacts, and therapeutic application in various cancers and inflammatory conditions. These studies are pivotal in understanding curcumin's functionality and its potential as a therapeutic agent. Conclusively, this review emphasizes the therapeutic promise of curcumin in treating a wide range of health issues, attributed to its complex chemistry and broad pharmacological properties. The research points towards curcumin's growing importance as a multi-faceted natural compound in the medical and scientific community.

Curcumin- β-Cyclodextrin Molecular Inclusion Complex: A Water-Soluble Complex in Fast-dissolving Tablets for the Treatment ofNeurodegenerative Disorders

BACKGROUND

Orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) have become an excellent choice for delivering drugs as their palatability is greatly improved. In this work, β-cyclodextrin has been used to improve the solubility of curcumin by encapsulating it into the hydrophobic cavity for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

OBJECTIVES

The current study aimed to present the design, formulation, and optimisation of fastdissolving oral tablets of curcumin- β-cyclodextrin molecular inclusion complex using a 32-factorial design.

METHODS

The drug-excipient compatibility was studied by FTIR spectroscopy. The inclusion complex of curcumin-β-cyclodextrin was prepared using solvent casting and confirmed using XRD studies. Powder blends were evaluated for flow properties. Tablets prepared by direct compression were evaluated for post-compression parameters. Further, the effect of formulation variables, such as sodium starch glycolate (X1) and Neusilin® ULF2 (X2), on various responses, including disintegration time and dissolution at 2 hours, was studied using statistical models.

RESULTS

Post-compression parameters, i.e., hardness (4.4-5 kg/cm2), thickness (3.82-3.93 mm), weight variation (±7.5%), friability (< 1%), wetting time (51-85 seconds) and drug content (96.28- 99.32%) were all found to be within the permissible limits and the disintegration time of tablets with super-disintegrants ranged between 45-58 seconds. The in-vitro dissolution profile of tablets showed that higher SSG and Neuslin® ULF2 levels promoted drug release. For statistical analysis, the 2FI model was chosen. Optimised variables for formulation have been determined and validated with the experimental findings based on the significant desirability factor.

CONCLUSION

The current study reveals the validated curcumin-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex fastdissolving tablets with SSG and Neusilin® ULF2 to be an ideal choice for effectively treating neurodegenerative disorders.

Curcumin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles alleviate fenpropathrin-induced hepatotoxicity by regulating lipogenesis and pyroptosis in rats

In this study, the probable alleviative role of curcumin (CMN) (50 mg/kg b.wt) or curcumin-loaded chitosan nanoparticle (CLC-NP) (50 mg/kg b.wt) was assessed against the hepatotoxic effect of a widely used pyrethroid insecticide, fenpropathrin (FEN) (15 mg/kg b.wt) in rats in a 60-day experiment. The results revealed that CMN and CLC-NP significantly suppressed the FEN-induced increment in serum hepatic enzyme activities (ALT, AST, and ALP) and hyperbilirubinemia. Moreover, FEN-associated dyslipidemia, hepatic oxidative stress, and altered hepatic histology were significantly rescued by CMN and CLC-NP. Furthermore, the increased TNF-α and Caspase-3 immunoexpression in hepatic tissues of FEN-exposed rats was significantly reduced in CMN and CLC-NP-treated ones. FEN exposure significantly upregulated the pyroptosis-related genes, including GSDMD, Casp-1, Casp-3, Casp-8, IL-18, TNF-α, IL-1β, and NF-κB and altered the expression of lipogenesis-related genes including SREBP-1c, PPAR-α, MCP1, and FAS in the hepatic tissues. Nevertheless, the earlier disturbances in gene expression were corrected in CMN and CLC-NP-treated groups. Of note, compared to CMN, CLC-NP was more effective at inhibiting oxidative damage and controlling lipogenesis and pyroptosis in the hepatic tissues of FEN-exposed rats. Conclusively, the current study findings proved the superior and useful role of CLC-NP in combating pollutants associated with hepatic dysfunction.