Title:Curcumin and its Multi-target Function Against Pain and Inflammation: An Update of Pre-clinical Data
Volume: 22
Issue: 6
Author(s): Shaikh Jamal Uddin*, Md. Fahim Hasan, Mohasana Afroz, Dipto Kumer Sarker, Razina Rouf, Muhammad Torequl Islam, Jamil A. Shilpi and Mohammad S. Mubarak*
Affiliation:
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Biophysics, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City,Vietnam
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942,Jordan
Keywords:
Curcumin, multi-target pharmacology, Curcuma longa, pain, inflammation, phytoconstituents.
Abstract: Pain is an unpleasant sensation that has complex and varying causative etiology. Modern
drug discovery focuses on identifying potential molecules that target multiple pathways with a
safer profile compared to those with a single target. The current treatment of pain and inflammation
with the available therapeutics has a number of major side effects. Pain is one of the major clinical
problems that need functional therapeutics which act on multiple targets and with low toxicity.
Curcumin, a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound from Curcuma longa, has been used for
years in Ayurvedic, Chinese, and in many other systems of traditional medicine. Pre-clinical data
published thus far demonstrated that curcumin possesses multi-target biological functions, suggesting
its potential use to cure different diseases. However, there is no or very brief systematic review
of its potential use in pain and inflammation with underlying mechanisms for such activities. Accordingly,
the aim of the current review was to update the pre-clinical data of curcumin and its multiple
targeting pathways for analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, and to further propose a
molecular mechanism(s). A literature study was conducted using different known databases, including
Pubmed, SciFinder, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. Available pre-clinical data suggest the
ameliorating effect of curcumin in pain and inflammation is rendered through the modulation of
pain pathways, including inhibition of a number of pro-inflammatory mediators, inhibition of
oxidative stress and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), down-regulation of Ca2+/calmodulin-depend protein
kinase II (CaMKIIα) and calcium channels like transient receptor potential (TRP), modulation
of metabotropic glutamate receptor-2 (mGlu2), modulation of monoamine system, inhibition of
JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, remodeling of extracellular matrix proteins, inhibition of apoptosis,
inhibition of JNK/MAPK and ERK/CREB signaling pathway, and activation of the opioid system.
Taken all together, it is evident that curcumin is one of the promising, safe, and natural polyphenolic
molecules that target multiple molecular pathways in pain and can be beneficial in the
treatment and management of pain and inflammation.
