Parkinson's disease is a progressive movement disorder. It is characterized by rigidity, tremors, slow movements (also known as bradykinesia), and unstable posture. Parkinson's occurs when cells in a movement-control center of the brain begin to die. The reason for this is unknown. The Indian herb curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that may enable it to act as a therapeutic agent in diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, arthritis, and cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases.
Significance
Turmeric is derived from the Curcuma longa plant. It is a gold-colored spice commonly used in India. Curcumin is a major component of turmeric and gives turmeric its unique yellow color. Curcumin is used as a spice and a food coloring agent. It has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin belongs to a group of antioxidants known as polyphenols. Curcumin is very safe, and it has at least 10 known neuroprotective mechanisms.
Potential
Free radicals (charged oxygen-like particles) come from chemical reactions in the body as well as from pollution and food. They damage cell membranes and DNA proteins. This damage is associated with many chronic conditions, such as cancer, atherosclerosis, and neurological degenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's. Curcumin acts directly against several enzymes involved in the inflammation process.
How it Works
The cause of Parkinson's is unknown; however, oxidative stress (free radical damage) is thought to play a significant role in its etiology. Depletion of a chemical in the brain known as glutathione (GSH) contributes to the oxidative stress of brain neurons, dysfunction of cellular mitochondria and cell death. Curcumin appears to protect against mitochondrial dysfunction in mice with depleted GSH levels. Curcumin works even more powerfully or has a synergistic effect when combined with drug therapy and other dietary polyphenols.
Limitations
Curcumin has a bioavailability level in the human system, meaning it is not absorbed and used particularly well. The concern is that because of this, giving curcumin orally may not result in sufficient concentrations (for beneficial effects) in tissues outside the gastrointestinal tract. However, as of 2009, researchers are developing chemical analogs and new delivery methods (for introduction into the system) to bypass this barrier. A daily oral dose of 3.6g of curcumin may be sufficient to be effective as a pharmacologic agent. However, in phase I clinical trials at Baylor University Medical Center, curcumin has been shown to be safe at doses of 12g daily for 3 months.
Future Directions
There is sufficient evidence to say that curcumin potentially plays a significant role in the prevention and/or treatment of certain chronic diseases associated with inflammation. Curcumin helps protect brain cells from oxidation and death. It is pharmacologically safe and relatively inexpensive. These factors make it attractive for further study. Indeed, future research studies will tell whether or not curcumin, administered at a therapeutic dosage, along with other agents, plays a significant role in preventing or treating Parkinson's.
References
- Biochemical Pharmacology; Curcumin as "Curecumin": from Kitchen to Clinic; A Goel, AB Kunnumakkara and BB Aggarwal; Feb 2008
- Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology; Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Curcumin; VP Menon and AR Sudheer; 2007
- Antioxidants and Redox Signaling; Curcumin: Preventive and Therapeutic Properties in Laboratory Studies and Clinical Trials; AS Strimpakos and RA Sharma; Mar 2008
