Curcumin is a constituent (up to ∼5%) of the traditional medicine known as turmeric. Interest in the therapeutic use of turmeric and the relative ease of isolation of curcuminoids has led to their extensive investigation. Curcumin has recently been classified as both a PAINS (pan-assay interference compounds) and an IMPS (invalid metabolic panaceas) candidate. The likely false activity of curcumin in vitro and in vivo has resulted in >120 clinical trials of curcuminoids against several diseases. No double-blinded, placebo controlled clinical trial of curcumin has been successful. This manuscript reviews the essential medicinal chemistry of curcumin and provides evidence that curcumin is an unstable, reactive, nonbioavailable compound and, therefore, a highly improbable lead. On the basis of this in-depth evaluation, potential new directions for research on curcuminoids are discussed.

The Essential Medicinal Chemistry of Curcumin

Ageing results from complex genetically and epigenetically programmed processes that are elicited in part by noxious or stressful events that cause programmed cell death Here, we report that administration of spermidine, a natural polyamine whose intracellular concentration declines during human ageing, markedly extended the lifespan of yeast, flies and worms, and human immune cells In addition, spermidine administration potently inhibited oxidative stress in ageing mice In ageing yeast, spermidine treatment triggered epigenetic deacetylation of histone H3 through inhibition of histone acetyltransferases (HAT), suppressing oxidative stress and necrosis Conversely, depletion of endogenous polyamines led to hyperacetylation, generation of reactive oxygen species, early necrotic death and decreased lifespan The altered acetylation status of the chromatin led to significant upregulation of various autophagy-related transcripts, triggering autophagy in yeast, flies, worms and human cells Finally, we found that enhanced autophagy is crucial for polyamine-induced suppression of necrosis and enhanced longevity

Induction of autophagy by spermidine promotes longevity

Curcumin, a pigment from turmeric, is one of the very few promising natural products that has been extensively investigated by researchers from both the biological and chemical point of view. While there are several reviews on the biological and pharmacological effects of curcumin, chemistry reviews are comparatively scarcer. In this article, an overview of different aspects of the unique chemistry research on curcumin will be discussed. These include methods for the extraction from turmeric, laboratory synthesis methods, chemical and photochemical degradation and the chemistry behind its metabolism. Additionally other chemical reactions that have biological relevance like nucleophilic addition reactions, and metal chelation will be discussed. Recent advances in the preparation of new curcumin nanoconjugates with metal and metal oxide nanoparticles will also be mentioned. Directions for future investigations to be undertaken in the chemistry of curcumin have also been suggested.

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The Chemistry of Curcumin: From Extraction to Therapeutic Agent

For years, there have been studies based on the use of natural compounds plant-derived as potential therapeutic agents for various diseases in humans. Curcumin is a phenolic compound extracted from Curcuma longa rhizome commonly used in Asia as a spice, pigment and additive. In traditional medicine of India and China, curcumin is considered as a therapeutic agent used in several foods. Numerous studies have shown that curcumin has broad biological functions particularly antioxidant and antiinflammatory. In fact, it has been established that curcumin is a bifunctional antioxidant; it exerts antioxidant activity in a direct and an indirect way by scavenging reactive oxygen species and inducing an antioxidant response, respectively. The renoprotective effect of curcumin has been evaluated in several experimental models including diabetic nephropathy, chronic renal failure, ischemia and reperfusion and nephrotoxicity induced by compounds such as gentamicin, adriamycin, chloroquine, iron nitrilotriacetate, sodium fluoride, hexavalent chromium and cisplatin. It has been shown recently in a model of chronic renal failure that curcumin exerts a therapeutic effect; in fact it reverts not only systemic alterations but also glomerular hemodynamic changes. Another recent finding shows that the renoprotective effect of curcumin is associated to preservation of function and redox balance of mitochondria. Taking together, these studies attribute the protective effect of curcumin in the kidney to the induction of the master regulator of antioxidant response nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2 (Nrf2), inhibition of mitochondrial dysfunction, attenuation of inflammatory response, preservation of antioxidant enzymes and prevention of oxidative stress. The information presented in this paper identifies curcumin as a promising renoprotective molecule against renal injury.

https://cyberleninka.org/article/n/470093.pdf

Renoprotective effect of the antioxidant curcumin: Recent findings

The beneficial role of curcumin on inflammation, diabetes and neurodegenerative disease: A recent update.

It has become very important to offer species with high nutritional value as fresh or processed products for human consumption in their daily diet for balanced nutrition. In the scope of this study, 15 naturally grown European Cranberry bush (ECB) genotypes that naturally grown were characterized in terms of horticultural characteristics. Fruit length, fruit width, fruit weight, the number of fruits per each cluster and cluster weight were determined within the ranges of 8.78–10.96 mm, 7.93–10.84 mm, 0.21–0.70 g, 31–121, and 7.70–66.67 g, respectively. Ranking of the average values of examined organic acids obtained from all genotypes found as; malic acid (11,419 mg L−1) > citric acid (1926 mg L−1) > ascorbic acid (581 mg L−1) > oxalic acid (561 mg L−1). Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were found at high levels in ECB with 2922–3475 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) L−1 and 1463–3163 mg quercetin equivalents (QE) L−1, respectively. While pomological characteristics were found to be highly positive correlated with each other, they were negatively correlated with chemical properties. Low pH was found to be an important parameter to obtain higher amounts of phytochemicals such as TPC, TFC, organic and phenolic acids correlated with strong antioxidant effects. The obtained results will be useful for both germplasm enrichment and cultivation.

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Screening of Naturally Grown European Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus L.) Genotypes Based on Physico-Chemical Characteristics

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fochx.2023.100683

Physical, chemical, and sensory properties of water kefir produced from Aronia melanocarpa juice and pomace

High pressure processing (HPP) of cranberrybush “ Viburnum opulus ” puree: Effects on microbiological quality, bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacities

The objective of the study is to evaluate the chemical characterisation, and biological and in silico potential of Haloxylon stocksii (Boiss.) Benth, an important halophyte commonly used in traditional medicine. The research focuses on the roots and aerial parts of the plant and extracts them using two solvents: methanol and dichloromethane. Chemical characterisation of the extracts was carried out using total phenolic contents quantification, GC-MS analysis, and LC-MS screening. The results exhibited that the aerial parts of the plant have significantly higher total phenolic content than the roots. The GC-MS and LC-MS analysis of the plant extracts revealed the identification of 18 bioactive compounds in each. The biological evaluation was performed using antioxidant, antibacterial, and in vitro antidiabetic assays. The results exhibited that the aerial parts of the plant have higher antioxidant and in vitro antidiabetic activity than the roots. Additionally, the aerial parts of the plant were most effective against Gram-positive bacteria. Molecular docking was done to evaluate the binding affinity (BA) of the bioactive compounds characterised by GC-MS with diabetic enzymes used in the in vitro assay. The results showed that the BA of γ-sitosterol was better than that of acarbose, which is used as a standard in the in vitro assay. Overall, this study suggests that the extract from aerial parts of H. stocksii using methanol as a solvent have better potential as a new medicinal plant and can provide a new aspect to develop more potent medications. The research findings contribute to the scientific data of the medicinal properties of Haloxylon stocksii and provide a basis for further evaluation of its potential as a natural remedy.

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Chemical Characterisation, Antidiabetic, Antibacterial, and In Silico Studies for Different Extracts of Haloxylon stocksii (Boiss.) Benth: A Promising Halophyte

Brewer's spent grain is the most prevalent low-cost by-product of brewing industry, contributing to about 85% of all by-products produced. It is of interest for food industry applications because of its high nutritional value (fibres, protein and bioactive substances). The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different brewer's spent grain composition usage on various quality criteria of noodles as well as to investigate the possible usage opportunities and assessments of them in the production of noodles against obesity. For this purpose, noodle production was carried out using five different compositions of brewer's spent grain barley, barley and wheat, barley and rice, barley and maize, barley and finger millets, all at different concentrations (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%). Various quality criteria of the noodles were determined. Noodles made with the addition of barley and maize spent grains were found to be high in physio-chemical and nutritional properties, and amylase and lipase inhibition assay. Concentration above 15% of spent grains affected the texture of the noodles. From the sensory evaluation, 10% concentration of barley and maize noodles was selected as it had good texture, colour and appearance. It was comparatively good in taste and aroma from other samples. 

Tuba Esatbeyoglu

Papers

Screening of Naturally Grown European Cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus L.) Genotypes Based on Physico-Chemical Characteristics

Physical, chemical, and sensory properties of water kefir produced from Aronia melanocarpa juice and pomace

High pressure processing (HPP) of cranberrybush “ Viburnum opulus ” puree: Effects on microbiological quality, bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacities

Chemical Characterisation, Antidiabetic, Antibacterial, and In Silico Studies for Different Extracts of Haloxylon stocksii (Boiss.) Benth: A Promising Halophyte

Volarization of Brewer's spent grain for noodles preparation and its potential assessment against obesity