Curcumin as a potential therapeutic agent for treating neurodegenerative diseases

• Published in: Neurochemistry international 2024-09, Vol.178, p.105790, Article 105790
• Main Authors: Perales-Salinas, Valeria, Purushotham, Sushmitha S., Buskila, Yossi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Curcumin; Glia; Neurodegeneration; Neuroinflammation; Tumeric
• ISSN: 0197-0186; 1872-9754; 1872-9754
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2024.105790

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the progressive loss of neuronal structure and function, posing a tremendous burden on health systems worldwide. Although the underlying pathological mechanisms for various neurodegenerative diseases are still unclear, a common pathological hallmark is the abundance of neuroinflammatory processes, which affect both disease onset and progression. In this review, we explore the pathways and role of neuroinflammation in various neurodegenerative diseases and further assess the potential use of curcumin, a natural spice with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that has been extensively used worldwide as a traditional medicine and potential therapeutic agent. Following the examination of preclinical and clinical studies that assessed curcumin as a potential therapeutic agent, we highlight the bioavailability of curcumin in the body and discuss both the challenges and benefits of using curcumin as a therapeutic compound for treating neurodegeneration. Although elucidating the involvement of curcumin in aging and neurodegeneration has great potential for developing future CNS-related therapeutic targets, further research is required to elucidate the mechanisms by which Curcumin affects brain physiology, especially BBB integrity, under both physiological and disease conditions. •Curcumin is a natural product used to treat inflammatory diseases by various communities and across generation.•Neurodegeneration is associated with BBB disruption andmay benefit from natural anti-inflammatory agents.•Poor curcumin bioavailability limits it's potential as a therapeutic agent to treat neurodegenerative diseases.•Curcumin formulations increase its bioavailability and pose a risk for side effects when consumed in large quantities.