CURCUMIN
- Category
- Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Pathogen, Blocks Excess Cytokines, Blocks Spike Protein Attachment, Blocks Spike Protein Penetration, Inhibits Long-Term Disease, Inhibits Long-Term Side Effects
CURCUMIN
Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a natural phenol found in turmeric (Curcuma longa), a member of the ginger family of plants. Curcumin modulates inflammation preventing the subsequent cytokine storm by inhibiting multiple transcription factors such as nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT-3), and downregulating the proinflammatory cytokines, as this has been demonstrated in human macrophages after influenza virus infection. Additionally, curcumin inhibits ACE modulating angiotensin II synthesis and downregulating inflammation, while it also promotes fibrinolysis and the anticoagulation process. The antiviral actions of curcumin against multiple viruses (influenza and hepatitis viruses, herpes viruses, human papilloma virus, human immunodeficiency virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and other coronaviruses), bacteria and fungi have been established by experimental evidence. Remarkably, recent evidence from in silico studies has demonstrated that curcumin prevents SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells by blocking the viral binding sites and the cell ligands (spike protein, ACE-2 receptors and basigin), downregulating trans-membrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS-2), and by interfering with viral replication through the interaction with various viral proteins. However, the minimal absorption of curcumin following oral administration presents a major limitation in its bioavailability. (Kritis, 2020).
Endotoxins released by microorganisms activate macrophages and neutrophils to produce inflammatory cytokines and eicosanoids such as thromboxane A2; anti-inflammatory medications such as COX-2 inhibitors could cause an imbalance prostaglandin production. Greater affinity for the COX-2 isoform could cause accumulation of thromboxane, a pro-aggregatory and vasoconstrictive prostaglandin produced from the COX-1 isoform, and therefore increase cardiovascular risk in patients with COVID-19. In this context, curcumin is unique because of its anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic effects. In patients with COVID-19 who exhibit long-term thromboembolic complications, curcumin treatment could reduce thromboembolic complications (a clot in the blood that forms and blocks a blood vessel) with lower bleeding risk, when low molecular weight heparin or unfractionated heparin treatment is stopped or in the absence of heparin treatment. Several preclinical studies have shown that curcumin could prevent cytokine storms and COVID coagulopathy, and function as an antiviral drug. To our knowledge, our study is the first to describe the efficacy of orally administered curcumin with piperine in the symptomatic treatment of COVID-19 (Pawar, 2021).
Reference:
(Kritis, 2020). Kritis P, Karampela I, Kokoris S, Dalamaga M. The combination of bromelain and curcumin as an immune-boosting nutraceutical in the prevention of severe COVID-19. Metabol Open. 2020;8:100066. doi:10.1016/j.metop.2020.100066
(Pawar, 2021). Oral Curcumin With Piperine as Adjuvant Therapy for the Treatment of COVID-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Retrieved on 061022 online from https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.669362.