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Curcumin in the Treatment of Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review with a Focus on Drug Interactions
Ebenezer Ofori-Attah1,2, Abigail Aning2, Layla Simón3
1Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sojo University, Kumamoto 860-0082, Japan.
Abstract:
Kidney disease (KD) is a major health challenge, affecting millions of people worldwide, highlighting the need for improved prevention and management strategies. The pathophysiological mechanisms converged on a common pathway characterized by inflammation, oxidative stress, fibrosis, nephron loss and failure. Curcumin, the active compound derived from turmeric (Curcuma longa), attracts considerable interest as a potential therapy for KD due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-fibrotic properties. Despite the benefits of curcumin, co-administration with kidney medications may cause drug interactions. Here, we systematically reviewed the efficacy of curcumin in alleviating KD and its safety when used with conventional treatments. Search terms included: curcumin AND ("diabetic nephropathy" OR "renal disease" OR "kidney disease"). Data on mechanisms of action, redox status, clinical benefits, side effects, and drug interactions were extracted and analyzed. Curcumin reduces oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, fibrosis, ER stress, and lipid and glucose metabolism. Curcumin has multifaceted nephroprotective effects, while it is safe and well-tolerated. The curcumin-drug interactions reviewed were: -piperine, -epigallocatechin gallate, -losartan, -ginkgolide B, -rosuvastatin, -insulin, -cilostazol, and -ginger. These interactions improve curcumin bioavailability, and synergistic anti-inflammatory/antioxidant/antifibrotic and renoprotective effects. Future research should prioritize large-scale clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy and safety of curcumin in diverse KD populations.
Insights
Curcumin, derived from turmeric, shows promise in treating kidney disease (KD) by reducing inflammation and fibrosis. It is safe and well-tolerated, with interactions that enhance its therapeutic effects.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology and Toxicology
- Nephrology
- Natural Product Chemistry
Background:
- Kidney disease (KD) presents a significant global health challenge, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
- Common KD pathways involve inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis, leading to nephron loss.
- Curcumin, from turmeric (Curcuma longa), exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrotic properties, making it a potential KD therapeutic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the efficacy of curcumin in alleviating kidney disease.
- To assess the safety of curcumin when co-administered with conventional kidney medications.
- To analyze potential drug interactions and their impact on curcumin's bioavailability and therapeutic effects.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review using search terms: curcumin AND ("diabetic nephropathy" OR "renal disease" OR "kidney disease").
- Extraction and analysis of data on curcumin's mechanisms of action, redox status, clinical benefits, side effects, and drug interactions.
- Review of specific curcumin-drug interactions, including piperine, epigallocatechin gallate, losartan, ginkgolide B, rosuvastatin, insulin, cilostazol, and ginger.
Main Results:
- Curcumin demonstrates multifaceted nephroprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, fibrosis, ER stress, and improving lipid/glucose metabolism.
- Curcumin is generally safe and well-tolerated in the context of kidney disease management.
- Reviewed drug interactions enhance curcumin bioavailability and yield synergistic anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-fibrotic, and renoprotective effects.
Conclusions:
- Curcumin exhibits significant potential as a therapeutic agent for kidney disease due to its broad nephroprotective mechanisms.
- Curcumin is safe and well-tolerated, and its interactions with other drugs can be beneficial, enhancing its therapeutic outcomes.
- Further large-scale clinical trials are warranted to validate curcumin's efficacy and safety across diverse kidney disease populations.
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