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Review
. 2013:2013:636053.
doi: 10.1155/2013/636053. Epub 2013 Nov 24.

Curcumin and diabetes: a systematic review

Dong-Wei Zhang  1 , Min Fu  2 , Si-Hua Gao  1 , Jun-Li Liu  2
Affiliations
Review

Curcumin and diabetes: a systematic review

Dong-Wei Zhang et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013.

Abstract

Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family, has been used for the treatment of diabetes in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. The active component of turmeric, curcumin, has caught attention as a potential treatment for diabetes and its complications primarily because it is a relatively safe and inexpensive drug that reduces glycemia and hyperlipidemia in rodent models of diabetes. Here, we review the recent literature on the applications of curcumin for glycemia and diabetes-related liver disorders, adipocyte dysfunction, neuropathy, nephropathy, vascular diseases, pancreatic disorders, and other complications, and we also discuss its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The applications of additional curcuminoid compounds for diabetes prevention and treatment are also included in this paper. Finally, we mention the approaches that are currently being sought to generate a "super curcumin" through improvement of the bioavailability to bring this promising natural product to the forefront of diabetes therapeutics.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Turmeric, curcumin and its chemical structure. (a) The root of turmeric. (b) Crystallized powder of curcumin. Curcumin is thought to be the main active ingredient derived from the root of turmeric. (c) The enol and keto forms of curcumin are common structures of the drug. The enol form is more energetically stable in the solid phase and in solution [6]. Figures 1(a) and 1(b) are from http://www.skinvitality.ca/blog/2012/06/curcumin-cancer-treatment#.UnGdC7KBSnQ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curcumin.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The relevant molecular targets of diabetes and its complications modulated by curcumin. Curcumin is actively involved in treating diabetes and diabetic disorders, which included liver disorders, adipocyte dysfunction, neuropathy, nephropathy, vascular diseases, pancreatic β cell dysfunction, and other complications. A lot of mediators and factors have been involved in the modulation process.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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