Curcumin, the multi-tool of functional medicine just got nano-scaled. As the article notes, curcumin has frustrated scientists for years. It clearly affects multiple bodily processes like inhibiting NF-kB, TNF alpha, and IL-6. Each of these substances play a role in inflammation. However, our body’s limited ability to absorb curcumin and the swiftness of its metabolism hinders the potential benefits. Liposomal curcumin (a fat soluble form) improves the first step in that process. Scientists are working to improve both steps further.
Researchers from the University of South Australia (UniSA), McMaster University in Canada and Texas A&M University believe they have also overcome the first barrier by attaching curcumin to nanoparticles. These nanoparticles appear to increase absorption by 117 percent.
In the articles (primary and secondary references) they look at the possibility of using such nano-articles for treatment of two different diseases. On the one hand, the curcumin could help prevent herpes in HIV patients. On the other hand, they hope it can treat the oxidative stress and inflammation found in Alzheimer’s disease. In animal models the curcumin nanoparticles even helped to remove amyloid plaque in the animal brains.
While a functional MD like myself does appreciate the lower absorption rate of standard curcumin whether in food or in supplement form, I do see patients greatly benefitting from liposomal curcumin if it is dosed correctly. Helping patients live healthier more abundant lives as we wait for better delivery mechanisms is just an average day at Sanctuary. We will continue advising curcumin for Alzheimer’s therapy and prevention as well as anti-inflammatory needs. If newer forms come out, we will applaud the scientists’ efforts.
Original Article:
Danielle Vitali, Puja Bagri, Jocelyn M. Wessels, Meenakshi Arora, Raghu Ganugula, Ankit Parikh, Talveer Mandur, Allison Felker, Sanjay Garg, M.N.V. Ravi Kumar, Charu Kaushic. Curcumin Can Decrease Tissue Inflammation and the Severity of HSV-2 Infection in the Female Reproductive Mucosa. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2020; 21 (1): 337 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010337
Thanks to Science Daily:
University of South Australia. “Curcumin is the spice of life when delivered via tiny nanoparticles: Treatment for Alzheimer’s and genital herpes.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 5 March 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200305132144.htm>.
Other Interesting Articles:
Curcumin and Alzheimer’s Disease:
Parikh, A.; Kathawala, K.; Jintao, L.; Chen, C.; Shan, Z.; Cao, X.; Zhou, X.-F.; Garg, S. Curcumin-loaded self-nanomicellizing solid dispersion system: Part II: In vivo safety and efficacy assessment against behavior deficit in Alzheimer disease. Drug Deliv. Transl. Res. 2018, 8, 1406–1420
Parikh, A.; Kathawala, K.; Song, Y.; Zhou, X.-F.; Garg, S. Curcumin-loaded self-nanomicellizing solid dispersion system: Part I: Development, optimization, characterization, and oral bioavailability. Drug Deliv. Transl. Res. 2018, 8, 1389–1405.
Effects on Cytokines and other Processes:
Goel, A.; Kunnumakkara, A.B.; Aggarwal, B.B. Curcumin as “Curecumin”: From kitchen to clinic. Biochem. Pharmacol. 2008, 75, 787–809.
Abe, Y.; Hashimoto, S.H.U.; Horie, T. Curcumin inhibition of inflammatory cytokine production by peripheral blood monocytes and alveolar maccrophages. Pharmacol. Res. 1999, 39, 41–47.
Natarajan, C.; Bright, J.J. Curcumin Inhibits Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis by Blocking IL-12 Signaling Through Janus Kinase-STAT Pathway in T Lymphocytes. J. Immunol. 2002, 168, 6506–6513.
Siwak, D.R.; Shishodia, S.; Aggarwal, B.B.; Kurzrock, R. Curcumin-induced antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects in melanoma cells are associated with suppression of IκB kinase and nuclear factor κB activity and are independent of the B-Raf/mitogen-activated/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase pathway and the Akt pathway. Cancer 2005, 104, 879–890.
Surh, Y.-J.; Chun, K.-S.; Cha, H.-H.; Han, S.S.; Keum, Y.-S.; Park, K.-K.; Lee, S.S. Molecular mechanisms underlying chemopreventive activities of anti-inflammatory phytochemicals: Down-regulation of COX-2 and iNOS through suppression of NF-κB activation. Mutat. Res. Fundam. Mol. Mech. Mutagen. 2001, 480–481, 243–268
Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently treat patients from Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, and more... offering the hope of healthier more abundant lives to those with chronic illness.
Do you have a preferred source for liposomal curcumin?
Meriva or Curcumasorb are good brands.