Mitochondria as a Target in the Therapeutic Properties of Curcumin

• Published in: Archiv der Pharmazie (Weinheim) 2014-12, Vol.347 (12), p.873-884
• Main Authors: Trujillo, Joyce, Granados-Castro, Luis Fernando, Zazueta, Cecilia, Andérica-Romero, Ana Cristina, Chirino, Yolanda Irasema, Pedraza-Chaverrí, José
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anticancer agent; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - isolation & purification; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - therapeutic use; Antioxidant enzymes; Antioxidants; Antioxidants - isolation & purification; Antioxidants - therapeutic use; Apoptosis; Apoptosis - drug effects; Curcuma - chemistry; Curcumin - isolation & purification; Curcumin - therapeutic use; Humans; Mitochondria; Mitochondria - drug effects; Mitochondria - metabolism; Mitochondria - pathology; Mitochondrial DNA; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Neoplasms - metabolism; Neoplasms - pathology; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 - metabolism; Nrf2; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts - isolation & purification; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Plants, Medicinal; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Signal Transduction - drug effects
• ISSN: 0365-6233; 1521-4184
• DOI: 10.1002/ardp.201400266

Curcumin, a phenolic compound extracted from Curcuma longa, is commonly used in Asia as a spice and pigment and has several biological functions, particularly antioxidant properties. It has been reported that curcumin exhibits bifunctional antioxidant properties related to its capability to react directly with reactive oxygen species (ROS) and also to its ability to induce the expression of cytoprotective and antioxidant proteins through the transcription factor nuclear factor‐erythroid‐2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2). Recently, it has been postulated that the mitochondrial function and metabolism are associated with Nrf2 and that curcumin has shown activities against mitochondrial dysfunction. The damage in mitochondria has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diseases like diabetes, cancer, aging, and neurodegenerative disorders. This review focuses on some of the most recent findings of curcumin properties that suggest a close relationship of this antioxidant with the mitochondrial function. Curcumin is a phenolic compound extracted from Curcuma longa. It is able to induce cytoprotective enzymes, anti‐apoptotic signaling, and mitochondrial respiration and to diminish reactive oxygen species. This review focuses on some of the most recent findings that suggest a close relationship of the antioxidant activity of curcumin with the mitochondrial function.