- Srivastava, Geetika; Mehta, Jawahar L. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics (2009), 14(1), 22-27
Scientific Essence: Several studies show that curcumin has tremendous potential in protecting the heart. Curcumin reduces several steps leading to a heart attack, such as reactive oxygen species generation, monocyte adhesion to activated endothelial cells, and many other pathways. These effects lead to continued heart function even after events that result in reduced blood supply or biochemical injury to the heart.
- Fiorillo, Claudia; Becatti, Matteo; Pensalfini, Anna; Cecchi, Cristina; Lanzilao, Luisa; Donzelli, Gianpaolo; Nassi, Niccolo; Giannini, Lara; Borchi, Elisabetta; Nassi, Paolo. Department of Biochemical Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. Free Radical Biology & Medicine (2008), 45(6), 839-846.
Scientific Essence: The authors explored the effects of curcumin in cardiac cells subjected to a protocol simulating ischemia-reperfusion (IR) (restriction of blood supply followed by a sudden surge of blood supply). Curcumin was administered before ischemia or at the moment of reperfusion. The effects of curcumin were compared to those produced by a Trolox, an antioxidant of equal antioxidant potency. Curcumin pretreatment was found to be the most efficient method for reducing the death of cells. Since curcumin was found to be much better than a model antioxidant, the study also proves that the protective effect of curcumin is not only due to its antioxidant properties. The benefits could involve other protective mechanisms. These discoveries suggest that curcumin administration is a potential strategy of protecting cardiac cells.
- Li, Hong-Liang; Liu, Chen; de Couto, Geoffrey; Ouzounian, Maral; Sun, Mei; Wang, Ai-Bing; Huang, Yue; He, Cheng-Wei; Shi, Yu; Chen, Xin; Nghiem, Mai P.; Liu, Youan; Chen, Manyin; Dawood, Fayez; Fukuoka, Masahiro; Maekawa, Yuichiro; Zhang, Liyong; Leask, Andrew; Ghosh, Asish K.; Kirshenbaum, Lorrie A.; Liu, Peter P
Scientific Essence: The authors treated heart cells with curcumin. Their experiments lead them to conclude that curcumin has excellent potential to protect against cardiac hypertrophy, inflammation, and fibrosis.
- Epstein, Jonathan A. Journal of Clinical Investigation (2008), 118(3), 850-852
Scientific Essence: Curcumin has antiinflammatory and antioxidant activities and might also inhibit histone acetyl transferases. Recent reports suggest that curcumin may inhibit cardiac hypertrophy and provide beneficial effects after heart attack and also in preventing the onset of high blood pressure.
- Aggarwal, Bharat B.; Bhatt, Indra D.; Ichikawa, Haruyo; Ahn, Kwang Seok; Sethi, Gautam; Sandur, Santosh K.; Sundaram, Chitra; Seeram, Navindra; Shishodia, Shishir.Medicinal and Aromatic Plants--Industrial Profiles (2007), 45(Turmeric), 297-368
Scientific Essence: This review covers the biological effects and medicinal properties of curcumin, one of the main active ingredients of turmeric (Curcuma longa). The article discusses the protective effects of curcumin against cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and other pathological conditions.
- Seeram, Navindra P.; Ichikawa, Haruyo; Shishodia, Shishir; Aggarwal, Bharat B. Oxidative Stress and Disease (2006), 21(Molecular Interventions in Lifestyle-Related Diseases), 243-275
Scientific Essence: This is a review article on nuclear transcription factor and its role in the pathogenesis of several diseases including cancer, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, allergy, asthma, diabetes, arthritis, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, and septic shock. The preventive and therapeutic effects of polyphenols including curcumin in suppressing nuclear transcription factor are discussed.
- Aggarwal, Bharat B.; Kumar, Anushree; Bharti, Alok Chandra. Department of Bioimmunotherapy, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. Oxidative Stress and Disease (2004), 14(Herbal and Traditional Medicine), 781-811. Publisher: Marcel Dekker, Inc
Scientific Essence: This is a review on the beneficial effects of Curcumin against cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, the major ailments in the United States. In addition, the authors state that this natural product has shown therapeutic effects against Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, cataract formation, HIV, and drug-induced nonspecific toxicity in the heart, lung, and kidney.
- Mohanty, Ipseeta; Arya, Dharamvir Singh; Dinda, Amit; Joshi, Sujata; Talwar, Keval Kishan; Gupta, Suresh Kumar. Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India. Life Sciences (2004), 75(14), 1701-1711
Scientific Essence: The authors investigated the effect of turmeric on heart attack. They found that turmeric reduced the occurrence of heart attack after ischemia-reperfusion (restriction of blood supply followed by a sudden surge of blood supply). The beneficial cardioprotective properties observed by the authors include functional recovery of the heart. Further examination substantiated the cardio protective benefits of turmeric.
Cardio Protective Benefits of Almonds:
- Spiller GA, Jenkins DJ, Cragen LN, Gates JE, Bosello O, Berra K, Rudd C, Stevenson M, Superko R. J. Am.Coll Nutr. 1992 11(2): 126-30.
Scientific Essence: The authors studied the effect of almonds on the cholesterol levels of humans. Almonds are high in monounsaturated fatty acids. The researchers found that the almond diet resulted in a rapid and sustained reduction of low density lipoprotein cholesterol. The overall cholesterol levels were also reduced.
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