The Longevity Project » immune system http://thelongevityproject.com Prevention, cognition, sustainable aging Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:20:04 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 “Spicing up” of the immune system by curcumin http://thelongevityproject.com/spicing-up-of-the-immune-system-by-curcumin/ http://thelongevityproject.com/spicing-up-of-the-immune-system-by-curcumin/#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2007 14:05:16 +0000 TLP http://thelongevityproject.com/spicing-up-of-the-immune-system-by-curcumin/ Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is an orange-yellow component of turmeric (Curcuma longa), a spice often found in curry powder. Traditionally known for its an antiinflammatory effects, curcumin has been shown in the last two decades to be a potent immunomodulatory agent that can modulate the activation of T cells, B cells, macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells. Curcumin can also downregulate the expression of various proinflammatory cytokines including TNF, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, and chemokines, most likely through inactivation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB. Interestingly, however, curcumin at low doses can also enhance antibody responses. This suggests that curcumin’s reported beneficial effects in arthritis, allergy, asthma, atherosclerosis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cancer might be due in part to its ability to modulate the immune system. Together, these findings warrant further consideration of curcumin as a therapy for immune disorders.

J Clin Immunol. 2007 Jan;27(1):19-35. Epub 2007 Jan 9.Click here to read

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