An update on molecular mechanisms of curcumin effect on diabetes

Abstract

Owing to its prevalent nature, diabetes mellitus has become one of the most serious endocrine illnesses affecting a patient's quality of life due to the manifestation of side effects such as cardiovascular diseases, retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy. Curcumin ((1E, 6E) 21, 7-bis (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione), a major compound of turmeric, has been used in conventional medicine because of its safe nature and cost-effectiveness to meliorate diabetes and its comorbidities. These effects have also been observed in rodent models of diabetes resulting in a reduction of glycemia and blood lipids. Both the preventive and therapeutic activities of this compound are due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Furthermore, preclinical outcomes and clinical investigation demonstrate that the use of curcumin neutralizes insulin resistance, obesity, and hyperglycemia. Despite the many benefits of curcumin, its two limiting factors, solubility and bioavailability, remain a challenge for researchers; therefore, several methods such as drug formulation, nano-drug delivery, and the use of curcumin analogs have been developed to deliver curcumin and increase its bioavailability. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The rise of people with type 2 diabetes has become a major concern at the global healthcare level. The best diabetes treatments today are anti-diabetic drug administration, lifestyle-related interventions (such as healthy eating and daily physical activity), arterial pressure detection, and fat control. The polyphenol curcumin, found in turmeric, can promote health by acting on a variety of cellular signaling pathways. This review article discusses curcumin and its role in the treatment of diabetes.

Keywords: antioxidant activity; curcumin; diabetes; molecular mechanisms; oxidative stress.