Mechanistic insights into the beneficial effects of curcumin on insulin resistance: Opportunities and challenges

Pitchai Balakumar; Kumar Venkatesan; Noohu Abdulla Khan; N M Raghavendra; Vijayan Venugopal; D R Bharathi; Neeraj K Fuloria

doi:10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103627

Mechanistic insights into the beneficial effects of curcumin on insulin resistance: Opportunities and challenges

Drug Discov Today. 2023 Jul;28(7):103627. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103627. Epub 2023 May 22.

Authors

Pitchai Balakumar¹, Kumar Venkatesan², Noohu Abdulla Khan³, N M Raghavendra⁴, Vijayan Venugopal⁵, D R Bharathi⁶, Neeraj K Fuloria⁷

Affiliations

¹ The Office of Research and Development, Periyar Maniammai Institute of Science & Technology (Deemed to be University), Vallam, Thanjavur 613 403, Tamil Nadu, India. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Al-Qara, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia.
³ Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Khalid University, Al-Qara, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dayananda Sagar University, Bengaluru 560 111, India.
⁵ School of Pharmacy, Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth Deemed-to-be University, Puducherry 607 402, India.
⁶ Department of Pharmacology, Sri Adichunchanagiri College of Pharmacy, Adichunchanagiri University, B G Nagara, Nagamangala 571 448, India.
⁷ Pharmaceutical Chemistry Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, AIMST University, Semeling, 08100 Bedong, Malaysia.

PMID: 37224995
DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103627

Abstract

The past couple of decades in particular have seen a rapid increase in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a debilitating metabolic disorder characterised by insulin resistance. The insufficient efficacy of current management strategies for insulin resistance calls for additional therapeutic options. The preponderance of evidence suggests potential beneficial effects of curcumin on insulin resistance, while modern science provides a scientific basis for its potential applications against the disease. Curcumin combats insulin resistance by increasing the levels of circulating irisin and adiponectin, activating PPARγ, suppressing Notch1 signalling, and regulating SREBP target genes, among others. In this review, we bring together the diverse areas pertaining to our current understanding of the potential benefits of curcumin on insulin resistance, associated mechanistic insights, and new therapeutic possibilities.

Keywords: PPARγ; adiponectin; curcumin; insulin resistance; irisin.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adiponectin
Curcumin* / pharmacology
Curcumin* / therapeutic use
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / drug therapy
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* / metabolism
Humans
Insulin
Insulin Resistance* / physiology
PPAR gamma / therapeutic use

Substances

Curcumin
Adiponectin
PPAR gamma
Insulin