CURCUMIN: MULTIPLE MOLECULAR TARGETS MEDIATE MULTIPLE PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS - A REVIEW

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), the active constituent of turmeric, has been used as a treatment for a wide variety of inflammatory conditions. Extensive research over the past two decades has shown that curcumin mediates its effects through the inhibition of transcription factors (NF-kappa B, AP-1), enzymes (COX-1, COX-2, LOX), cytokines (TNF, IL-1, IL-6) and down regulation of antiapoptotic genes (BCL2, BCL2L1). Curcumin has been widely used for the treatment of several chronic diseases, including various cancers, Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, arthritis, alcohol-induced liver injury, multiple sclerosis and inflammatory eye conditions. In addition, curcumin enhances wound healing and blocks HIV replication. Studies have also shown that curcumin has no effect on normal cells and kills only tumor cells. Various pharmacological aspects of curcumin are discussed with regard to different types of chronic diseases.