Curcumin as a Multifaceted Epigenetic Modulator With a Disease-Oriented Perspective

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a polyphenolic compound, is a component of Curcuma longa, commonly known as turmeric. It is well known for its therapeutic properties in a variety of diseases. One of its distinctive mechanisms is epigenetic modification. Epigenetic changes involve alterations in DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA expression patterns, which are interconnected and play a crucial role in various pathologies. It has been shown that curcumin inhibits DNA methyltransferases (DNMT), thereby reversing abnormal hypermethylation and reactivating silenced genes. Concurrently, it downregulates histone deacetylases (HDACs), promotes histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity, and modulates the expression of non-coding RNAs, including miRNAs. Consequently, curcumin regulates many mechanisms, including inflammatory cascades, oxidative stress responses, and neuronal function. Curcumin's broad-spectrum activity has been demonstrated in various pathologies. For instance, in cancer, it modulates epigenetic mechanisms to support tumor suppression; in neurodegenerative diseases, it enhances neuronal survival; and in metabolic disorders, it improves insulin responsiveness. It also reduces inflammation and fibrosis in cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, and inflammatory conditions. This review will describe curcumin's diverse role as an epigenetic modulator from a novel disease-oriented perspective.