Curcumin suppression of cytokine release and cytokine storm. A potential therapy for patients with Ebola and other severe viral infections

In Vivo. 2015 Jan-Feb;29(1):1-4.

Abstract

Background: The terminal stage of Ebola and other viral diseases is often the onset of a cytokine storm, the massive overproduction of cytokines by the body's immune system.

Materials and methods: The actions of curcumin in suppressing cytokine release and cytokine storm are discussed.

Results: Curcumin blocks cytokine release, most importantly the key pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α. The suppression of cytokine release by curcumin correlates with clinical improvement in experimental models of disease conditions where a cytokine storm plays a significant role in mortality.

Conclusion: The use of curcumin should be investigated in patients with Ebola and cytokine storm. Intravenous formulations may allow achievement of therapeutic blood levels of curcumin.

Keywords: Curcumin; Ebola; cytokine storm; interleukin-1; interleukin-6; review; tumor necrosis factor-α.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Curcumin / pharmacology*
  • Curcumin / therapeutic use
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / drug therapy
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Virus Diseases / drug therapy
  • Virus Diseases / metabolism

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Curcumin