Sreejayan

Bio: Sreejayan is an academic researcher from Manipal University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Bisdemethoxycurcumin & Curcumin. The author has an hindex of 2, co-authored 2 publications receiving 1470 citations.

Nitric Oxide Scavenging by Curcuminoids

Abstract: Because curcumin, a compound with anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity, inhibits induction of nitric oxide synthase in activated macrophages and has been shown to be a potent scavenger of free radicals we have investigated whether it can scavenge nitric oxide directly. Curcumin reduced the amount of nitrite formed by the reaction between oxygen and nitric oxide generated from sodium nitroprusside. Other related compounds, e.g. demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin and diacetylcurcumin were as active as curcumin, indicating that the methoxy and the phenolic groups are not essential for the scavenging activity. The results indicate curcumin to be a scavenger of nitric oxide. Because this compound is implicated in inflammation and cancer, the therapeutic properties of curcumin against these conditions might be at least partly explained by its free-radical scavenging properties, including those toward nitric oxide.

Curcuminoids as Potent Inhibitors of Lipid Peroxidation

Abstract: Earlier studies showed that curcumin is a potent inhibitor iron-catalysed lipid peroxidation Demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin and acetylcurcumin were tested for their ability to inhibit iron-stimulated lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate and rat liver microsomes Comparison of the results with curcumin showed that all compounds are equally active, and more potent than alpha-tocopherol These results showed that the methoxy and phenolic groups contribute little to the activity Spectral studies showed that all compounds could interact with iron Thus, the inhibition of iron-catalysed lipid peroxidation by curcuminoids may involve chelation of iron

Curcumin: From ancient medicine to current clinical trials

Abstract: Curcumin is the active ingredient in the traditional herbal remedy and dietary spice turmeric (Curcuma longa). Curcumin has a surprisingly wide range of beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity. The pleiotropic activities of curcumin derive from its complex chemistry as well as its ability to influence multiple signaling pathways, including survival pathways such as those regulated by NF-κB, Akt, and growth factors; cytoprotective pathways dependent on Nrf2; and metastatic and angiogenic pathways. Curcumin is a free radical scavenger and hydrogen donor, and exhibits both pro- and antioxidant activity. It also binds metals, particularly iron and copper, and can function as an iron chelator. Curcumin is remarkably non-toxic and exhibits limited bioavailability. Curcumin exhibits great promise as a therapeutic agent, and is currently in human clinical trials for a variety of conditions, including multiple myeloma, pancreatic cancer, myelodysplastic syndromes, colon cancer, psoriasis and Alzheimer’s disease.