The growing evidence about the clinical application of naturally occurring phytochemicals has revealed multiple phytochemicals’ detoxifying properties. Curcumin, commonly known as turmeric, has previously reported anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancerous, and chemo-therapeutic properties. Also, curcumin supplementation has proven to be effective in conditions like diabetes, neuropathies, cardiovascular disease, and liver disease. Nevertheless, it is commonly used as a spice that provides a yellow coloration to many dishes.

Commonly known as turmeric, curcumin is a rhizome that comes from Curcuma longa. It could be easily found in markets as a powder or as a bark; it is very similar to ginger bark. Turmeric has three major curcuminoids that confer different functions.

Curcuminoids

Curcumin (60–70%)

Demethoxycurcumin (20–27%)

Bisdemethoxycurcumin (10–15%)

Curcumin metabolism:

Curcumin has low chemical stability and poor bioavailability. That is why the function of curcumin’s metabolites es more studied. There are three primary forms in which curcumin could be found in the mammalian body, free, conjugated, and reduced. For example, oral administration of curcumin translates to a conjugated state. However, if curcumin is administered intravenously, it would be reduced to dihydro curcumin. Regardless of the administration, free curcumin has been found in the plasma and liver tissues of rats.

In the intestine, curcuminoids metabolites have a moderate absorption than curcumin, desmethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin. Besides this, the relationship between host-microbiota plays a significant role in curcumin’s metabolism. The primary metabolic process in human microbiota includes demethoxylation, reduction, hydroxylation, methylation, and acetylation, resulting in stable curcuminoids’ metabolites.

Curcumin’s Antioxidant effect

The prevention of chronic diseases had become a principal role of phytochemicals usage. Curcumin’s ability to scavenge free radicals is related to its potential to donate electron groups. Therefore, resulting in free radical removal and prevention of reactive oxygen species prevention.

Benefits of Curcumin

Clinical applications

Curcumin inhibits the ROS production on cells with influenza A virus (IAV)- induced oxidant stress and downregulated the activation of toll-like receptors (TLR), suppressing the IVA infection.

Prevents hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress on diabetic mice by inhibiting ROS, improving the functions of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT).

Prevents the depletion of antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase and glutathione.

Administration of curcumin results in amelioration of aflatoxin B1-induced effects via increases in the level of GSH, gene expression, and activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase (CAT), SOD, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST).

Curcumin and detoxification

Oxidative stress induction is a potent promoter of different components that could potentially promote mutation. Nevertheless, curcumin supplantation has been shown to work against these mutation promoters. Curcuminoids have been shown to modulate phase 1 enzymes resulting in a reduction of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁)_, a potent mycotoxin linked to carcinogenesis.

The phase-1 enzyme cytochrome p450 can metabolize AFB₁ into its harmful metabolites. Recent studies have elucidated that multiple CYP enzymes can allow the biotransformation of AFB₁ to aflatoxin-8,9-epoxide (AFBO) and AFM1 AFP1, AFQ1, considered toxic metabolites. However, AFBO is the most potent metabolite, and it can react with DNA resulting in mutations, ultimately leading to weakened protein biosynthesis.

In recent studies, the use of curcumin has effectively reduced the AFB₁-induced oxidative stress. Besides, when hepatic tissue is treated with AFB₁ morphological changes appear. Recent studies report that supplementation of curcumin reverses this condition and repairs serum biochemical changes.

The enzymes involved in AFB₁ biotransformation are CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP2A6, and CYP3A4 (data from poultry species). However, CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP3A4, and CYP2A6 are up-regulated by AFB_1, promoting its biotransformation, which means that the regulation of these phase-1 enzymes is providing a promising treatment. Curcumin supplementation is linked with reduced mRNA of these CYP enzymes. This shows the importance of modulatory action of curcuminoids on CYP modulation and downregulation of AFB₁ and AFBO.

On the other hand, Nrf2, a potent detoxification phase II enzyme-inducer, is upregulated by curcumin. Nrf2 is a crucial chemopreventive compound. It has shown to be a promotor of GST enzymes responsible for detoxification of AFB_1. Meanwhile, curcumin supplementation reversed the AFB1-induced decrease in Nrf2, GSTA3, and GSTM2 mRNA and protein expression levels. Furthermore, curcumin improved GST enzyme activity involved in the detoxification of AFB1.

 

Curcumin’s regulation of inflammatory cytokines

An uncontrolled inflammatory response is often the underlying cause of any chronic condition—the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines such as TNF-a, IL-6, and interleukin-1B. Curcumin’s regulatory influence on pro-inflammatory cytokines is promoted by inhibiting the glycoprotein 120- induced upregulation of the cytokines mentioned above and interferon-y.

However, curcumin supplementation’s additional effect is the stimulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 and transforming growth factor-beta. Also, curcumin is associated with the suppression and inactivation of nuclear factor KB and the downregulation of COX-2.

Inflammation and weight

While inflammation can play an essential role in the development of chronic diseases, weight is also an important factor, Despite the belief that detoxification can promote weight loss, this is mainly possible if the detox protocol involves fasting. Nevertheless, body composition assessment and detoxification protocols can be part of a nutritional assessment. Get more information below.

INBODY Result Sheet

The different clinical applications and the influence of curcumin on different regulatory pathways make this bark-like spice an important nutraceutical. In addition to the mentioned benefits, its direct effect is related to the treatment of hepatotoxicity and drug detoxification. In fact, the supplementation of 500mg of curcumin in humans promotes antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties linked to the prevention of multiple chronic diseases. – Ana Paola R. Arciniega. Master in clinical nutrition

From the kitchen to your genes

I don’t know about you, but I was so cold today! Plus, I felt inspired after reading and learning all about curcumin. How do you think about a nice cup of golden milk?

Golden milk:

·      1 tsp of curcumin

·      ½ tsp cinnamon

·      vanilla extract

·      sweetener, I choose agave honey

·      1 cup of almond milk (or any kind: coconut, oat, soy, rice,1%)

·      you can add ginger if you want to

Heat the milk in a pot at medium temperature, add the ingredients and mix for 3-5 min.

Enjoy!

References

Muhammad, Ishfaq et al. “Dual Role of Dietary Curcumin Through Attenuating AFB₁-Induced Oxidative Stress and Liver Injury via Modulating Liver Phase-I and Phase-II Enzymes Involved in AFB₁ Bioactivation and Detoxification.” Frontiers in pharmacology vol. 9 554. 25 May. 2018,

Xu, Xiao-Yu et al. “Bioactivity, Health Benefits, and Related Molecular Mechanisms of Curcumin: Current Progress, Challenges, and Perspectives.” Nutrients vol. 10,10 1553. 19 Oct. 2018, doi:10.3390/nu10101553

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Disclaimer

The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the musculoskeletal system’s injuries or disorders. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us 915-850-0900.  Read More…

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, CTG*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
phone: 915-850-0900
Licensed in Texas & New Mexico