Title:Curcumin and Endothelial Function: Evidence and Mechanisms of Protective Effects
VOLUME: 23 ISSUE: 17
Author(s):Maryam S. Karimian, Matteo Pirro, Thomas P. Johnston, Muhammed Majeed and Amirhossein Sahebkar*
Affiliation:Student Research Committee, Department of Modern Sciences & Technologies, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Unit of Internal Medicine, Angiology and Arteriosclerosis Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, Sabinsa Corporation, East Windsor, NJ, Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran, P.O. Box: 91779-48564
Keywords:Curcumin, endothelial function, flow-mediated vasodilation, nitroglycerin-mediated dilation, pulse wave velocity, adhesion
molecules.
Abstract:Background: The endothelium is a large paracrine organ regulating cell growth, vascular tone and
thrombogenicity as well as platelet and leukocyte interactions. Endothelial function can be assessed by noninvasive
techniques [e.g. flow-mediated vasodilation, nitroglycerin-mediated dilation and pulse wave velocity]
and measuring specific circulating biomarkers [cell adhesion molecules, endothelial microparticles and endothelial
progenitor cells]. Impaired endothelial function plays a key role in the development of atherosclerosis, arterial
hypertension, heart failure, ischemia-reperfusion injury, Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions. Endothelial
function is also involved in growth and proliferation of tumor cells.
Methods: We performed a literature review and assessed the role of the natural polyphenol, curcumin, as a potential
inexpensive, well-tolerated, and safe agent for improving endothelial function.
Results: Curcumin exerts several positive pharmacological effects; these include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant,
anti-hypertensive, anti-cancer, antiviral, anti-infective and wound-healing properties. Specifically, curcumin’s
anti-inflammatory effects are thought to be caused by reducing trans-endothelial monocyte migration by reduction
of mRNA and protein expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and
P-selectin and by modulating NFκB, JNK, p38 and STAT-3 in endothelial cells. Dietary curcumin supplementation
can also increase antioxidant activity through the induction of heme oxygenase-1, a scavenger of free radicals,
and by reduction of reactive oxygen species and Nox-2.
Conclusions: Curcumin appears to improve endothelial function but additional research is needed to determine
the precise mechanism(s) and biomarkers involved in curcumin’s therapeutic effects on endothelial dysfunction.
