Curcumin

Orange-yellow substance that is almost insoluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol and ether.

Curcumin is an orange-yellow natural dye (flavonoid) extracted from Curcumae longae rhizoma, the rhizomes of Curcuma longa , which is obtained from turmeric roots cultivated and extracted in India and southern China.

Curcumin has a strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effect (Panahi Y eet al. (2019).

Furthermore, it could be used in various applications. Furthermore, a cardioprotective effect could be proven in various experiments. Curcumin lowers the total cholesterol level, promotes wound healing by activating growth factors, and has neuroprotective effects in animal experiments. In the intestinal epithelium, curcumin can significantly reduce the expression of the CXCL1 and CXCL2 genes, which is increased by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).

Several studies have been conducted to test extracts of curcuma species in patients with osteoarthritis. These patients showed an improvement in pain, physical function and quality of life after taking curcumin. They also reported a reduced simultaneous use of analgesics and side effects during treatment.

In vitro studies showed that curcumin can prevent the apoptosis of chondrocytes, suppress the release of proteoglycans and metal metalloproteases and the expression of cyclooxygenase, prostaglandin E-2 and inflammatory cytokines in chondrocytes (Chin KY 2016).

The anti-inflammatory mechanism of curcumin has not yet been fully elucidated. An inhibition of the interleukins-1β has been proven. The inhibitory effect of curcumin on inflammatory activation is apparently specific for the NLRP3 inflammasome, but not for the NLRC4 or AIM2 inflammasome (Yin H et al. 2018).

Colouring agent for filter papers (curcuma paper)

Antioxidant food additive (E 100 ).

As an antioxidant, curcumin inhibits leukotriene synthesis (see leukotrienes; IL-1 /Yin H et al. 2018) and prostate glandin synthesis.

Curcumin appears to improve osteoarthritis pain (Chin KY 2016)

Curcumin has protective effects on UV-induced skin damage (Panahi Y eet al. 2019).

Curcumin has poor bioavailability and solubility. Most of the absorbed curcumin is excreted unmetabolized in the stool. The smaller absorbed portion is conjugated to glucuronides and sulphates in the intestine via the enzymes UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) and sulphotransferase (SULT) (Prasad S et al. 2014). These water-soluble metabolites can enter the tissue. It can be assumed that curcuminoids are deposited in the intercellular lipids of the horny layer in a similar way to carotenoids, which explains the preferred yellow coloration of more keratinized skin areas.

The topical application of curcumin is considered helpful for several skin diseases. However, it is associated with a bright orange-yellow discoloration of the affected skin areas (Nguyen TA et al. 2013)

Other side effects:

• Dry mouth
• Xerostomia (dry mouth): Some people report dry mouth after taking curcumin supplements. This may be due to the effect of curcumin on saliva production.
• Skin rashes and itching: In rare cases, curcumin can cause allergic skin reactions. These reactions can range from mild rashes to severe itching.
• Blood clotting disorders: Increased risk of bleeding: Curcumin may affect blood clotting. People taking anticoagulants (blood thinners) or suffering from blood clotting disorders should only take curcumin under medical supervision to minimize the risk of bleeding.

Interactions with medications

• Interaction with anticoagulants and antithrombotics: Curcumin may increase the effect of anticoagulants such as warfarin and aspirin, which may increase the risk of bleeding.
• Impairment of blood sugar control: In diabetics, curcumin may increase the effect of blood sugar lowering drugs, which may lead to hypoglycemia. Careful monitoring of blood sugar levels is therefore necessary.

1. Chin KY (2016) The spice for joint inflammation: anti-inflammatory role of curcumin in treating osteoarthritis. Drug Des Devel Ther10:3029-3042.
2. Horev L et al. (2015) Yellow Feet in a Patient with Breast and Thyroid Carcinoma, Due to Oral Intake of Turmeric. Drug Saf Case Rep 2:4.
3. Kanai M et al. (2013) A phase I study to investigate the safety and pharmacokinetics of highly bioavailable curcumin (Theracurmin) in cancer patients. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 71:1521-1530).
4. Kasprzak-Drozd K et al. (2024) Potential of Curcumin in the Management of Skin Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 25:3617.
5. Kasprzak-Drozd K et al. (2024) Potential of Curcumin in the Management of Skin Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 25:3617.
6. Nguyen TA et al. (2013) Curcumin: a novel treatment for skin diseases. J Drugs Dermatol 12:1131-1137.
7. Panahi Y eet al. (2019) Evidence of curcumin and curcumin analogue effects in skin diseases: A narrative review.J Cell Physiol 234:1165-1178.
8. Prasad S et al. (2014) Recent developments in the delivery, bioavailability, absorption and metabolism of curcumin: the golden pigment from the golden spice. Cancer Res Treat 46:2-18.
9. Sahebkar A (2014) A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of curcumin on blood lipid levels. Clin Nutr 33:406-414.
10. Tejada S et al.(2016) Wound Healing Effects of Curcumin: A Short Review. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 17:1002-1007.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27640646
11. Yao M et al. (2015) Neurological recovery and antioxidant effects of curcumin for spinal cord injury in the rat: a network meta-analysis and systematic review. J Neurotrauma 32:381-391.
12. Yin H et al. (2018) Curcumin Suppresses IL-1β Secretion and Prevents Inflammation through Inhibition of the NLRP3 Inflammasome. J Immunol 200:2835-2846.