Curcumin as a potential protective compound against cardiac diseases.

Pharmacol Res. 2017 May;119:373-383. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2017.03.001. Epub 2017 Mar 6. Jiang S1, Han J2, Li T3, Xin Z3, Ma Z4, Di W5, Hu W6, Gong B7, Di S4, Wang D8, Yang Y9. Author information 1 Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu, China; Department of Aerospace Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China. 2 Department of Ophthalmology, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 1 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, China. 3 Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China. 4 Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, 1 Xinsi Road, Xi'an, 710038, China. 5 Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, Jiangsu, China. 6 Department of Aerospace Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China. 7 Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu, China. 8 Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu, China. Electronic address: dongjinwang210@163.com. 9 Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing 210008, Jiangsu, China; Department of Aerospace Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China. Electronic address: yang200214yy@163.com. Abstract Curcumin, which was first used 3000 years ago as an anti-inflammatory agent, is a well-known bioactive compound derived from the active ingredient of turmeric (Curcuma longa). Previous research has demonstrated that curcumin has immense therapeutic potential in a variety of diseases via anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic, and anti-inflammatory pathways. Cardiac diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide and cause considerable harm to human beings. Numerous studies have suggested that curcumin exerts a protective role in the human body whereas its actions in cardiac diseases remain elusive and poorly understood. On the basis of the current evidence, we first give a brief introduction of cardiac diseases and curcumin, especially regarding the effects of curcumin in embryonic heart development. Secondly, we analyze the basic roles of curcumin in pathways that are dysregulated in cardiac diseases, including oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation. Thirdly, actions of curcumin in different cardiac diseases will be discussed, as will relevant clinical trials. Eventually, we would like to discuss the existing controversial opinions and provide a detailed analysis followed by the remaining obstacles, advancement, and further prospects of the clinical application of curcumin. The information compiled here may serve as a comprehensive reference of the protective effects of curcumin in the heart, which is significant to the further research and design of curcumin analogs as therapeutic options for cardiac diseases. KEYWORDS: Cardiac diseases; Curcumin; Histone acetylation; Myocardial ischemia; Oxidative stress PMID: 28274852 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2017.03.001 [Indexed for MEDLINE]