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Toward Regulatory Effects of Curcumin on Transforming Growth Factor-Beta Across Different Diseases: A Review

Milad Ashrafizadeh1,2, Ali Zarrabi2, Kiavash Hushmandi3

  • 1Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Orta Mahalle, Istanbul, Turkey.

Frontiers in Pharmacology
|December 31, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Curcumin, derived from turmeric, modulates transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling. This natural compound shows therapeutic potential by regulating TGF-β to treat diseases like fibrosis, diabetes, and cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology
  • Cellular Signaling

Background:

  • Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a key regulator of cellular processes like immune response, proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis.
  • Abnormal TGF-β expression is implicated in various diseases, including diabetes, cancer, fibrosis, asthma, and arthritis, driving interest in TGF-β modulators.
  • Curcumin, a compound from turmeric, possesses diverse pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties, and affects multiple signaling pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the potential of curcumin in regulating the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway.
  • To correlate curcumin's modulation of TGF-β with its therapeutic effects across various diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review evaluating existing studies on curcumin's effects on TGF-β signaling.
  • Analysis of curcumin's impact on TGF-β pathway modulation (both upregulation and downregulation).
  • Correlation of TGF-β pathway regulation by curcumin with therapeutic outcomes in preclinical and clinical settings.

Main Results:

  • Curcumin modulates the TGF-β signaling pathway, influencing both its upregulation and downregulation.
  • Curcumin's modulation of TGF-β is associated with amelioration of fibrotic conditions, neurological disorders, liver disease, diabetes, and asthma.
  • Curcumin targets the TGF-β pathway to suppress tumor cell proliferation and invasion, indicating anti-cancer potential.

Conclusions:

  • Curcumin demonstrates significant potential as a therapeutic agent through its ability to modulate the TGF-β signaling pathway.
  • The findings support curcumin's role in managing a spectrum of diseases by targeting TGF-β, highlighting its broad therapeutic applicability.
  • Further research into curcumin's mechanisms targeting TGF-β could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for TGF-β-related pathologies.
Keywords:
antioxiantscurcumindiseasesnatural compoundtransforming growth factor-β

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