Inflammatory Disorders
Inflammation results when the immune system of the body is responding to any injury, tissue damage, or infection. This is a normal process in the body and is not dangerous.
However, on the other hand, if inflammation occurs in any body part or tissue when there is no immune system response to any damage in the body, then this is a disorder and may become severe if it is not treated properly.
The common symptoms that can result from inflammation are:
Redness
Heat
Pain
Swelling
Difficulty in performing the activity.
Some of the common disorders that can cause inflammation are as follows:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Chron’s diseases
Asthma
The diagnosis of these disorders depends on the physical examination of that part of the body as well as it can be diagnosed by using different imaging techniques such as X-rays or some lab tests.
Inflammatory disorders can be cured by using medications or by improving the lifestyle such as taking exercise regularly [1].
The medications available for treating such disorders include biological therapeutics, anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as some immunosuppressive drugs.
The Anti-inflammatory drugs may have side effects so we can prefer some herbal compounds having the same function, but these should be scientifically approved.
One of the best organic compounds that have anti-inflammatory properties is curcumin which can help reduce inflammation and cure many disorders in the body.
As these disorders can affect the daily life and routine activities of a person, these should be treated properly with scientifically proven medications [2].
Anti-inflammatory Agents
The substances that are used to reduce inflammation in the body are called anti-inflammatory agents or substances.
These anti-inflammatory agents can be natural or synthetic. And are recommended to patients with inflammatory disorders based on their condition.
The commonly used anti-inflammatory substances include:
Corticosteroids
Biological substances
NSAIDS
Colchicine
Fatty acids (omega 3)
Corticosteroids are synthetic substances that are used to suppress the immune system in the body of the patient in order to reduce inflammation. They copy the activity of the cortisol hormone that is found normally in the body and reduce the activity of the immune system [3].
An example of a corticosteroid that is used to decrease inflammation is hydrocortisone.
Biological agents are substances that usually target the proteins which are involved in the inflammatory response. These substances are used typically while treating autoimmune deformities including rheumatoid arthritis disorder.
An example of a biological substance used in the treatment of inflammation is infliximab.
NSAIDs are used typically to stop the production of chemicals that can cause inflammation such as prostaglandins.
An example of an NSAID that can be used to decrease inflammation in any part of the body is Aspirin [4].
Similarly, we can also use some herbal or natural compounds to decrease inflammation and treat such disorders as these medications have the least side effects. One of the best examples is curcumin which has a very crucial role in reducing inflammation. It is a scientifically proven compound and has a highly anti-inflammatory activity.
Curcumin and Inflammation
Turmeric, a spice frequently used in Indian food, contains the natural substance curcumin.
The polyphenolic substance that gives the spice its unique color and has been linked to a host of health advantages is to blame.
Curcumin belongs to the family of substances known as curcuminoid, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics [5].
Numerous biological effects, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and neuroprotective qualities, have been discovered.
Enzymes, transcription factors, and cell signaling molecules are just a few of the numerous molecular targets it might interact with within the body.
Due to its adaptability, curcumin can have a variety of biological effects, making it a highly intriguing drug candidate.
The second is curcumin's positive effects on health. Curcumin has been found to potentially improve many health conditions, including inflammation, cognitive function, and heart health.
Numerous chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, are significantly influenced by chronic inflammation [6].
The action of various pro-inflammatory molecules is inhibited by curcumin, which lowers inflammation throughout the body.
Furthermore, curcumin has been demonstrated to have neuroprotective properties that may aid in delaying or reducing cognitive deterioration.
It has been discovered to increase the production of BDNF, a protein necessary for the development and survival of neurons.
Because low levels of BDNF have been linked to several neurological diseases, including depression and Alzheimer's disease, this discovery is quite significant.
Curcumin has been demonstrated in studies to offer several benefits for heart health. It has been associated with decreased blood pressure, improved endothelial function, and an overall decreased risk of cardiovascular disease.
The anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin, which assist in lessening the inflammation linked to heart disease, may be partially responsible for these advantages.
Curcumin is a very promising natural substance that might provide a variety of health advantages. Due to its distinctive chemical structure, it can interact with a variety of biological targets and potentially produce a wide range of advantageous effects [7].
Role of Curcumin in Inflammation
Curcumin is a crucial compound with a lot of health benefits. It has been found through research that this crucial compound has a very important role in treating inflammation and disorders related to it.
Multiple experimental studies have been performed that showed that curcumin acts through different processes that all help in reducing inflammation and curing inflammatory disorders [8].
One of the studies has shown that this crucial compound regulated the activities of different enzymes that are crucial for the production of different molecules required for causing inflammation such as prostaglandins. Curcumin inhibits the enzymes that in turn stop producing these chemicals as well as the signaling pathways for inflammation are inhibited. This all results in a reduction of inflammation in the body.
Curcumin can also play an important role in promoting the production of anti-inflammatory molecules involving TGF-beta. It can also inhibit the production of molecules that are involved in bringing the cells of the immune system to the site where inflammation has occurred. This all helps in reducing inflammation [9].
Another study has also shown that curcumin plays an important role in stimulating the Nrf-2 signaling pathway. This pathway is crucial for the transcription stimulation in some important genes that have roles in protecting the cells as well as reducing the oxidative stress in the cells that can ultimately lead to the cure of certain inflammatory diseases.
So, from this data we can easily conclude that curcumin is a crucial agent in reducing inflammation and it can be used as a promising therapy in curing different disorders that can lead to inflammation in any part of the body [10].
These properties of curcumin have been checked experimentally on different animal models as well as on humans and the safety and efficacy of this crucial compound is confirmed.
Preclinical and Clinical Trials Data
Different experimental studies have been performed that have shown that curcumin can act through different processes and can reduce inflammation.
The effectiveness and safety of this crucial compound have been confirmed through different trials that were performed on animal models as well as on human patients with different types of inflammatory diseases. Curcumin has always shown positive outcomes in this regard.
Preclinical studies were performed using rats as animal models with rheumatoid arthritis. This is an inflammatory disease that leads to inflammation in the joint. These rats were divided into two groups. One group was given a placebo and it was used as a control. While the second group was given curcumin for a specific time period. The mechanism through which this crucial compound acts was also studied, and it was found that it reduced the production of proteins that can cause inflammation. So, the results showed a reduction in inflammation in the joints of rats that were treated with curcumin making curcumin a significant therapeutic modality in inflammation [11].
Similarly, many other preclinical studies were also performed that all showed that curcumin can decrease inflammation and can act through multiple mechanisms as discussed above.
After passing through the preclinical trials, curcumin was also checked in the clinical studies that were performed on different human patients with multiple types of diseases associated with inflammation. The safety of curcumin was also proved in these studies along with its effectiveness in humans.
A study was done on 45 human patients having rheumatoid arthritis disease. These patients were divided into two groups randomly. One group was given a placebo just for control purposes. While the other group was given 500mg of curcumin two times every day. This was done for around two months and results were observed. The results showed that the patients treated with curcumin had alleviation of all the symptoms. And there were no side effects of this crucial compound. Hence, the safety and efficacy of curcumin were confirmed through this study [12].
Another study was performed on 89 human patients that had osteoarthritis diseases, another disease-causing inflammation. These patients were randomly given a placebo and curcumin. They were treated with 1500mg of curcumin each day for one and a half months. The results showed that all the symptoms were cured in the patients who had been treated with curcumin. And no side effects were observed.
Four other studies were also performed that constituted around 1064 patients with different types of inflammatory bowel disorders IBD. These patients were given curcumin in different concentrations randomly. And significant results were observed [13].
These findings confirm that curcumin can be a promising therapy in treating the diseases associated with inflammation in any part of the body.
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