- Asian Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (2014) Volume 4, Issue 31

Nutrigenomic Approach in Understanding the Antiallergic Effects of Curcumin

Curcumin (diferuloyl methane) is a natural yellow polyphenolic pigment isolated from the rhizomes of the plant Curcuma longa L. (turmeric). Several studies have demonstrated curcumin can inhibit antigenmediated activation of mast cells, IgE production, airway inflammation and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in allergy animal models. Nutrigenomics, the study of diet-gene interactions in an individual, is the latest emerging area of nutrition research for disease prevention and intervention. The continued increased prevalence of allergic diseases is a matter of public health concern especially in the developed countries. Therefore, this paper attempts to apply the principles and tools of nutrigenomics on how curcumin can be applied as a target intervention in the prevention of allergy diseases. The mechanistic effects of curcumin on proteomic factors include regulation of histamine release during degranulation, cytokines, eosinophils, iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) and mast cells activation events such as, chymase II and Syk kinase. The mechanistic effects of curcumin on post-translation factors include suppression of Syk-dependent phosphorylation of the adaptor proteins linker of activated T cells and Grb2-associated binder 2, Akt, mitogen-activated protein kinases p38, p44/42 (extracellular signalregulated kinase 1/2), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. The mechanistic effects of curcumin on transcription factors include inhibition of TNF-α and tryptase mRNA expression. This paper suggests a novel potential of curcumin for utilization in prevention or management of allergic diseases.

Author(s): Owaga a EE, Mpondab J, Nyang?injac RA

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