Curcumin as a Promising Neuroprotective Agent for the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury: A Review of the Literature

Abstract

Curcumin is a polyphenolic chemical derived from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa. It has been used throughout the Indian subcontinent for medicinal purposes, religious events, and regional cuisine. It has various pharmacological benefits owing to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Its neuroprotective effects on the brain and peripheral nerves have been demonstrated in several in vivo neuronal tissue studies. Because of these functional properties of curcumin, it is considered to have great potential for use in the treatment of spinal cord injuries (SCIs). Numerous immunopathological and biochemical studies have reported that curcumin can help prevent and alleviate subsequent secondary injuries, such as inflammation, edema, free radical damage, fibrosis, and glial scarring, after a primary SCI. Furthermore, following SCI, curcumin administration resulted in better outcomes of neurological function recovery as per the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan locomotor rating scale. However, to date, its utility in treating SCIs has only been reported in laboratories. More studies on its clinical applications are needed in the future for ensuring its bioavailability across the blood-brain barrier and for verifying the safe dose for treating SCIs in humans.

Keywords: Antioxidant; Curcumin; Inflammation; Neuroprotective agent; Recovery of function; Spinal cord injury.

Fig. 1.

Curcuma longa plant and powder. Curcumin is a yellow substance produced by Curcuma longa. Curcumin is the primary curcuminoid found in turmeric, a member of the ginger family. It is marketed as an herbal supplement, cosmetic ingredient, food-flavoring agent, and food colorant.

Fig. 2.

Pathophysiological process following spinal cord injury and the targeted therapeutic function of curcumin. ROS, reactive oxygen species.

Fig. 3.

Molecular structure of curcumin. The keto-enol tautomer in the center, flexible α,β-unsaturated β-diketo linker, and terminal o-methoxyphenolic groups make up the curcumin molecule, which has an asymmetric structure.

Fig. 4.

Curcumin has a wide range of interactions. Curcumin contains a complex pharmacophore that can function as an antioxidant; chelate metals; and facilitate Michael reactions (used in the mild formation of C–C bonds), hydrogen-bonding interactions, π-π van der Waals interactions, and free radical scavenging.