Curcumin: an inflammasome silencer

Abstract

Curcumin is the major bioactive polyphenolic ingredient of turmeric. Increasing evidence indicates that the health benefits of curcumin are mediated through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Inflammasomes are essential components of inflammatory pathways that activate caspase-1 leading to pyroptosis and stimulate maturation and secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) through nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling. The current review outlines the mechanisms of curcumin as an inflammasome modulator in inflammatory-related diseases. Regulation of NF-κB signaling and interleukins secretion is the most prominent functional mechanism of curcumin in modulating inflammasomes. More importantly, curcumin can exert its anti-inflammatory role mainly through the down-regulation of NLRP3 inflammasomes. Given the fundamental role of inflammation in diseases, such as arthritis, cancer and cardiorenal disease, curcumin may have a pivotal therapeutic role through its ability to produce beneficial anti-inflammatory effects.

Keywords: Curcumin; Inflammasome; Inflammation; NF-κB signaling pathway; NLRP3; Proinflammatory cytokines.