Abstract
Curcumin is a polyphenol present in Curcuma longa, a root used in Asian cuisine for thousands of years, and it has several medicinal properties, acting as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, among others. Polyphenols generally have the ability to restore BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor) levels, which is a very important neurotrophin in controlling neuronal development and survival, when they are impaired, offering a therapeutic effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of curcumin in Alzheimer's disease and Depression, which has as its main pathogenesis the reduction of BDNF levels, monoamine levels, increased oxidative stress, inflammation, beta-amyloid aggregation, Tau protein accumulation and aluminum neurotoxicity, verifying its therapeutic capacity. Therefore, a literature review was performed in the Scholar Google, ScienceDirect, and PubMed databases. The data analyzed demonstrated that curcumin supplementation is able to restore BDNF levels in Alzheimer's disease and depression, in addition to modulating monoamines and reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, beta-amyloid aggregation, Tau protein accumulation and aluminum neurotoxicity, improving their symptoms.
Keywords:
Curcuma longa; turmeric; polyphenol; BDNF; Dementia; neurological disease
HIGHLIGHTS
• A decrease in BDNF levels is associated with Alzheimer’s disease and depression.
• Curcumin supplementation improves BDNF levels in Alzheimer’s and depression.
• Curcumin supplementation improves symptomatology in Alzheimer’s and depression.
• Curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.
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