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Review
. 2025 Dec;39(12):e70635.
doi: 10.1002/jbt.70635.

Mechanistic Insights Into Curcumin's Epigenetic and Gut Microbiota-Mediated Regulation of Obesity-Linked Endocrine Dysfunction

Manoj Kumar Narasimhan  1 , Nila Ganamurali  2 , Evelyn Sharon S  3 , Sarvesh Sabarathinam  2
Affiliations
Review

Mechanistic Insights Into Curcumin's Epigenetic and Gut Microbiota-Mediated Regulation of Obesity-Linked Endocrine Dysfunction

Manoj Kumar Narasimhan et al. J Biochem Mol Toxicol. 2025 Dec.

Abstract

Obesity and its associated metabolic disorders pose a significant global health challenge. The gut microbiota, influenced by dietary factors, plays a crucial role in regulating lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis. This review explores the potential of curcumin, a polyphenol derived from turmeric, as an epigenetic modulator in obesity management. Curcumin exhibits diverse biological activities, including the ability to modulate gut microbiota composition, enhance intestinal barrier integrity, and regulate long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression. By influencing these pathways, curcumin effectively mitigates obesity-related inflammation, improves insulin sensitivity, and reduces hepatic steatosis. Clinical and preclinical studies demonstrate that curcumin supplementation can significantly improve obesity-related markers, particularly in bioavailability-enhanced formulations. We highlight key mechanistic gaps and propose targeted in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies to validate curcumin-SNHG9 interactions as a novel epigenetic therapy for obesity.

Keywords: Curcumin; Epigenetics; Gut Microbiota; Lipid Metaboli; Obesity.

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