Summary, Perspective, and Direction for Future Research

Abstract

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is one of the active components of dietary spice turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn). It produces antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antihypertensive, antihyperlipidemic, antitumor, anticancer, antiphlogistic, antidiabetic, antithrombotic, and anticancer properties in humans and animals. Curcumin not only reduces oxidative and inflammatory damage but also improves cognitive functions. Curcumin also acts by inhibiting the activation of astrocytes and modulates various neurotransmitter levels in the brain. In animal models of Alzheimer’s disease, curcumin not only binds with amyloid β and inhibits its aggregation but also prevents fibril formation. Furthermore, curcumin produces neuroprotective effects in animal models of stroke, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury. Due to its mild antidepressant properties, curcumin produces beneficial effects in animal models of depression, tardive dyskinesia, and bipolar disorders. These effects of curcumin in neurotraumatic, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric disorders are mediated through signal transduction processes involving cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases, extracellular signal-regulated kinases, and p38 kinases.