Nrf2-Related Therapeutic Effects of Curcumin in Different Disorders

Biomolecules. 2022 Jan 5;12(1):82. doi: 10.3390/biom12010082.

Abstract

Curcumin is a natural polyphenol with antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammation effects. This substance has been shown to affect the activity of Nrf2 signaling, a pathway that is activated in response to stress and decreases levels of reactive oxygen species and electrophilic substances. Nrf2-related effects of curcumin have been investigated in different contexts, including gastrointestinal disorders, ischemia-reperfusion injury, diabetes mellitus, nervous system diseases, renal diseases, pulmonary diseases, cardiovascular diseases as well as cancers. In the current review, we discuss the Nrf2-mediated therapeutic effects of curcumin in these conditions. The data reviewed in the current manuscript indicates curcumin as a potential activator of Nrf2 and a therapeutic substance for the protection of cells in several pathological conditions.

Keywords: Nrf2; cancer; curcumin; disorders.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use*
  • Curcumin / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / metabolism*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • NFE2L2 protein, human
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Curcumin