Curcumin is a symmetric molecule composed of three major chemical entities: two aromatic ring systems containing O-methoxy phenolic groups linked by a seven-carbon linker containing α, β-unsaturated diketone moiety (Figure 2). Curcuminoid (the yellow-pigmented turmeric preparation) accounts for 3–5 percent of turmeric and is primarily composed of three derivatives: curcumin (diferuloylmethane, curcumin I ~77%), demethoxycurcumin (DMC, curcumin II), bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC, curcumin III), and cyclo-curcumin [17,18]. All three derivatives are considered to be natural turmeric analogs. Curcumin exhibits keto-enol tautomerism, with enol forms predominating in alkaline media and keto forms predominating in acidic or neutral media [17]. Curcumin is a hydrophobic compound that is insoluble in polar or neutral solvents such as water. It can be dissolved in organic or hydrophobic solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), ethanol, and acetone [19]. Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), dimethyl curcumin, di-demethyl curcumin, Vanillylidenacetone, Di-(tert-butyl-dimethylsilyl) curcumin, O-tert-butyl-dimethylsilyl curcumin, and curcumin-d6 are all commercially available curcumin metabolites.

Human studies of curcumin’s pharmacokinetics yielded results that were similar to those obtained from animal studies. Because of its poor absorption, curcumin has a low bioavailability in plasma and tissues, rapid hepatic metabolism, as well as rapid systemic elimination through the gut with a peak human plasma level of 0.41–1.75 µmol/L after the oral administration of 4–8 g of curcumin [20,21]. Many studies have shown that curcumin is primarily metabolized in the liver, where it undergoes extensive reduction via alcohol dehydrogenase, followed by glucuronate and sulfate conjugation [8,21]. Furthermore, Perkins and colleagues reported that humans require a daily dose of 1.6 g curcumin to achieve the desired results [22].

Almost all studies have confirmed that unformulated curcumin has low bioavailability in both animals and humans [23,24]. Various formulations have been developed to improve curcumin bioavailability. Nano curcumin, for example, was developed to improve curcumin solubility in an aqueous solution. Cheng et al. generated a nanoparticle form of curcumin that resulted in a higher plasma concentration and a six-fold higher AUC with a longer mean residence time in mice brains. [25]. Polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and liposomal-formulated curcumins improved water solubility of the compound [26,27,28]. In regards to curcumin permeability, cyclodextrin (CD) encapsulated curcumin improved curcumin permeability compared to unformulated curcumin [29]. Concomitant administration of piperine with curcumin significantly reduced elimination and half-life clearance of curcumin [23,24]. Alginate–curcumin nanoparticles (Alg-NP-Cur) [30], glyceryl mono-oleate nanoparticles loaded with piperine and curcumin (GMO-NP-Pip/Cur) [31], curcumin-loaded lactoferrin nanoparticles (Lf-NP-Cur) [32], and curcumin-loaded polysorbate 80-modified cerasome (CPC) nanoparticles (NPs) [33], are different preparations developed to maximize curcumin bioavailability.

Curcumin, a multi-targeted compound, has traditionally been used as a dietary spice and a medicinal herb in Asian countries for a variety of pathologies due to its anti-inflammatory properties [34], and antioxidant properties [35,36]. Moreover, curcumin possesses antibacterial [37], antiviral [38], antifungal [39], anti-arthritic [40], hepatoprotective [41], anti-thrombotic [42], cardio-protective [43], hypoglycemic [44], anti-allergic [45,46], wound-healing [47], and chemo-preventive and anticancer properties [48,49,50]. Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, among others, form the basis of curcumin’s critical neuroprotective effects in a variety of neurological diseases affecting both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Several molecular targets of curcumin have been identified based on extensive evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies.

The present review focuses on recent advances and the mechanisms underlying the wide range of biological effects of curcumin against neurodegenerative diseases, specifically Parkinson’s disease. Curcumin’s ability to modulate the functions of multiple signal transduction pathways has been linked to a reduction in disease progression. Curcumin interacts with transcription factors such as z transcription (STAT) proteins [51], growth factors and their receptors, e.g, epidermal growth factor receptors and HER2 [52,53], cytokines, e.g., interleukin 1b (IL-1b), interleukin 6 (IL-6) [54], enzymes, e.g., hemox (HO-1) [55], and genes that regulate cell proliferation and apoptosis [56]. The ability of curcumin to modulate and interact with multiple cell signaling pathways and proteins strongly indicates that this polyphenol is an effective multi-targeted compound [57,58,59]. This conclusion is in line with several recently published reports identifying curcumin as a potent epigenetic regulator [60,61]. Interestingly, curcumin’s inhibitory effect on MOA-B enzyme [62], which would lead to an increase in the level and availability of DA in the brain, has gained much attention in recent years, as discussed below.

A critical unmet need in the management of PD is the discovery of new approaches that could slow, stop, or ideally reverse, the process of neurodegeneration. Curcumin’s neuroprotective potential has been demonstrated in several recent studies using various animal models of Parkinson’s disease [63,64,65,66,67,68,69,70]. For instance, Zbarsky described the protective effects of curcumin on the number of TH-positive neurons as well as on striatal DA level and its metabolites; dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanilic acid (HVA) against 6-hydroxydopmine (6-OHDA) induced neurodegeneration in animal models of PD [71]. The advantage of curcumin over other derivatives, such as demethoxycurcumin (DMC) and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC), was reported on DA receptor (D2) binding activities and on the number of TH +ve neurons [72]. Yang et al. described the protective effects of curcumin on the injured hippocampus in an 6-OHDA model of PD, including a significant improvement in mental status, weight gain, neurobehaviors, learning and memory, levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, neural regeneration in hippocampal tissue, and cell survival-related signaling pathways such as BDNF, TrkB, and PI3K [73]. Moreover, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of the neurotrophin growth factor family, which is involved in various neurological functions, is affected in PD [74]. Curcumin restores neuronal regeneration by stimulating Trk/PI3K signaling cellular cascade, reducing levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and caspase activity, hence increasing levels of BDNF in 6-OHDA model of PD [73,75]. Recently, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of curcumin in a 6-OHDA animal model of PD [70]. The results indicated that curcumin enhances the survival of striatal TH fibers and SNpc neurons, decreases abnormal turning behavior, and exerts neuroprotective properties at least partly via an α7- nAChR-mediated mechanism. These findings provide evidence that α7-nAChRs could be a potential therapeutic target and curcumin would be the first natural agent which is reported to modulate nicotinic receptors in PD.

7. Neuroprotective Mechanisms of Curcumin via Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors