Can curcumin supplementation break the vicious cycle of inflammation, oxidative stress, and uremia in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis?

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Turmeric (a source of curcumin) is an excellent food to modulate oxidative stress, inflammation, and gut dysbiosis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, no studies report the benefits of curcumin in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study aims to evaluate the effects of curcuminoid supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, and uremic toxins originating from gut microbiota in patients with CKD undergoing PD. METHODS: This longitudinal, randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated 48 patients who were randomized into two groups: Curcumin (three capsules of 500 mg of Curcuma longa extract, with 98.42 % total curcuminoids) or placebo (three capsules of 500 mg of starch) for twelve weeks. In the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), the transcriptional expression levels of Nrf2, HOX-1 and NF-κB were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR. Oxidative stress was evaluated by malondialdehyde (MDA) and total Thiol (T-SH). TNF-α and IL-6 plasma levels were measured by ELISA. P-cresyl sulphate plasma level, a uremic toxin, was evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescent detection. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients finished the study: 10 in the curcumin group (57.5 ± 11.6 years) and 14 in the placebo group (56.5 ± 10.0 years). The plasma levels of MDA were reduced after 12 weeks in the curcumin group (p = 0.01), while the placebo group remained unchanged. However, regarding the difference between the groups at the endpoint, no change was observed in MDA. Still, there was a trend to reduce the p-CS plasma levels in the curcumin group compared to the placebo group (p = 0.07). Likewise, the concentrations of protein thiols, mRNA expression of Nrf2, HOX-1, NF-κB, and cytokines plasma levels did not show significant changes. CONCLUSION: Curcuminoid supplementation for twelve weeks attenuates lipid peroxidation and might reduce uremic toxin in patients with CKD undergoing PD. This study was registered on Clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04413266.

Genus Curcuma: chemical and ethnopharmacological role in aging process.

Aging or senescence is part of human life development with many effects on the physical, mental, and physiological aspects which may lead to age-related deterioration in many organs. Genus Curcuma family Zingieraceae represents one of the well-studied and medically important genera with more than eighty species. The genus is reported to contain different classes of biologically active compounds that are mainly presented in diphenylheptanoids, diphenylpentanoids, diphenylalkanoids, phenylpropene derivatives, alkaloids, flavonoids, chromones, terpenoids, phenolic acids and volatile constituents. Rhizomes and roots of such species are rich with main phytoconstituents viz. curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bis-demethoxycurcumin. A wide variety of biological activities were demonstrated for different extracts and essential oils of genus Curcuma members including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic and neuroprotective. Thus, making them as an excellent safe source for nutraceutical products and as a continuous promising area of research on lead compounds that may help in the slowing down of the aging process especially the neurologic and mental deterioration that are usually experienced upon aging. In this review different species of the genus Curcuma were summarized with their phytochemical and biological activities highlighting their role as antiaging agents. The data were collected from different search engines viz. Pubmed®, Google Scholar®, Scopus® and Web of Science® limiting the search to the period between 2003 up till now.

Dimeric diarylheptanoids with anti-inflammatory activity from Zingiber officinale.

Two previously undescribed chain diarylheptanoid derivatives (2-3), five previously undescribed dimeric diarylheptanoids (4-8), together with one known cyclic diarylheptanoid (1) were isolated from Zingiber officinale. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses (HR-ESI-MS, IR, UV, 1D and 2D NMR) and ECD calculations. Biological evaluation of compounds 1-8 revealed that compounds 2, 3 and 4 could inhibit nitrite oxide and IL-6 production in lipopolysaccharide induced RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner.

Near infra-red absorbing Quinolizidine fused curcuminoid-BF2 chelate and its applications in photodynamic therapy using MCF-7 and A549 cells.

Metal-free near-infrared absorbing photosensitizers (PS) have been considered promising candidates for photodynamic therapy. Curcumin, curcuminoid, and its derivatives have therapeutic values due to their anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antiproliferative properties. Curcuminoid-BF2 chelates have also been studied as cell imaging probes, however, their applications in photodynamic therapy are rare. In this article, we describe the synthesis and therapeutic evaluation of quinolizidine fused curcuminoid-BF2 chelate (Quinolizidine CUR-BF2) containing an acid-sensitive group. This donor-acceptor-donor curcuminoid-BF2 derivative exhibits absorption and emission in the deep red region with an absorption band maximum of ∼647 nm and a weak emission band at approximately 713 nm. It is interesting to note that this derivative has a high molar extinction coefficient (164,655 M-1cm-1). Quinolizidine CUR-BF2 possesses intramolecular charge transfer properties, facilitating the production of singlet oxygen (1O2), which plays a crucial role in cell death. Additionally, Quinolizidine CUR-BF2 can enable the selective release of active ingredients in an acidic medium (pH 5). Furthermore, the nanoaggregates of PS were prepared by encapsulating Quinolizidine CUR-BF2 within Pluronic F127 block co-polymer for better water-dispersibility and enhanced cellular uptake. Dark cytotoxicity of nanoaggregates was found to be negligible, whereas they exhibited significant photoinduced cytotoxicity towards cancer cells (MCF-7 and A549) under irradiation of 635 nm light. Further, the cell death pathway using Quinolizidine CUR-BF2 nanoaggregates as PS is found to occur through apoptosis. Specifically, the present study deals with the successful preparation of Quinolizidine CUR-BF2 nanoaggregates for enhanced water-dispersibility and cellular uptake as well as the efficacy evaluation of developed nanoaggregates for photodynamic therapy.

Ruthenium(II)-Arene Curcuminoid Complexes as Photosensitizer Agents for Antineoplastic and Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy: In Vitro and In Vivo Insights.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an anticancer/antibacterial strategy in which photosensitizers (PSs), light, and molecular oxygen generate reactive oxygen species and induce cell death. PDT presents greater selectivity towards tumor cells than conventional chemotherapy; however, PSs have limitations that have prompted the search for new molecules featuring more favorable chemical-physical characteristics. Curcumin and its derivatives have been used in PDT. However, low water solubility, rapid metabolism, interference with other drugs, and low stability limit curcumin use. Chemical modifications have been proposed to improve curcumin activity, and metal-based PSs, especially ruthenium(II) complexes, have attracted considerable attention. This study aimed to characterize six Ru(II)-arene curcuminoids for anticancer and/or antibacterial PDT. The hydrophilicity, photodegradation rates, and singlet oxygen generation of the compounds were evaluated. The photodynamic effects on human colorectal cancer cell lines were also assessed, along with the ability of the compounds to induce ROS production, apoptotic, necrotic, and/or autophagic cell death. Overall, our encouraging results indicate that the Ru(II)-arene curcuminoid derivatives are worthy of further investigation and could represent an interesting option for cancer PDT. Additionally, the lack of significant in vivo toxicity on the larvae of Galleria mellonella is an important finding. Finally, the photoantimicrobial activity of HCurc I against Gram-positive bacteria is indeed promising.

Curcuminoid-Mediated Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy on a Murine Model of Oral Candidiasis.

Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT) has been extensively investigated in vitro, and preclinical animal models of infections are suitable for evaluating alternative treatments prior to clinical trials. This study describes the efficacy of aPDT in a murine model of oral candidiasis. Forty mice were immunosuppressed with subcutaneous injections of prednisolone, and their tongues were inoculated using an oral swab previously soaked in a C. albicans cell suspension. Tetracycline was administered via drinking water during the course of the experiment. Five days after fungal inoculation, mice were randomly distributed into eight groups; a ninth group of untreated uninfected mice was included as a negative control (n = 5). Three concentrations (20 µM, 40 µM, and 80 µM) of a mixture of curcuminoids were tested with a blue LED light (89.2 mW/cm2; ~455 nm) and without light (C+L+ and C+L- groups, respectively). Light alone (C-L+), no treatment (C-L-), and animals without infection were evaluated as controls. Data were analyzed using Welch's ANOVA and Games-Howell tests (α = 0.05). Oral candidiasis was established in all infected animals and visualized macroscopically through the presence of characteristic white patches or pseudomembranes on the dorsum of the tongues. Histopathological sections confirmed a large presence of yeast and filaments limited to the keratinized layer of the epithelium in the C-L- group, and the presence of fungal cells was visually decreased in the images obtained from mice subjected to aPDT with either 40 µM or 80 µM curcuminoids. aPDT mediated by 80 µM curcuminoids promoted a 2.47 log10 reduction in colony counts in comparison to those in the C-L- group (p = 0.008). All other groups showed no statistically significant reduction in the number of colonies, including photosensitizer (C+L-) or light alone (C-L+) groups. Curcuminoid-mediated aPDT reduced the fungal load from the tongues of mice.

Development, characterization, and consumer acceptance evaluation of thermally stable capsule beads containing mixed extracts of green tea and turmeric.

The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of shell (coating) formulations comprised of alginate and glucono delta lactone (GDL) to encapsulate a mixture of green tea and turmeric extracts. Three concentrations of alginate and GDL were used at 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1%, w/v and their solid ratio was varied using a factorial design. A response surface model was applied to optimize the retention of catechin and curcuminoid contents, to determine encapsulation efficiency, and to minimize undesirable flavor and taste. Increasing the concentration of alginate and GDL significantly increased the retention of catechin and curcuminoid contents, encapsulation efficiency, and consumer acceptance (p < 0.05). The encapsulating solution containing 1% of each alginate and GDL performed the best against each criterion. The thermal treatment carried out at the boiling point of water for 15 min had a significant impact on the retention of catechin and curcuminoid content which, in the thermally-treated beads, was 5.15 and 3.85 times higher than unencapsulated, respectively. The consumer acceptance of the encapsulated beads after thermal treatment was higher than that of the unencapsulated formulations as they exhibited lesser pungent flavor and bitterness. The innovative process of thermally stable microencapsulation can produce anti-cancer activity compounds involved in functional food industrial sectors.

Turmeric and Curcumin-Health-Promoting Properties in Humans versus Dogs.

The growing popularity of the use of nutraceuticals in the prevention and alleviation of symptoms of many diseases in humans and dogs means that they are increasingly the subject of research. A representative of the nutraceutical that deserves special attention is turmeric. Turmeric belongs to the family Zingiberaceae and is grown extensively in Asia. It is a plant used as a spice and food coloring, and it is also used in traditional medicine. The biologically active factors that give turmeric its unusual properties and color are curcuminoids. It is a group of substances that includes curcumin, de-methoxycurcumin, and bis-demethoxycurcumin. Curcumin is used as a yellow-orange food coloring. The most important pro-health effects observed after taking curcuminoids include anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant effects. The aim of this study was to characterize turmeric and its main substance, curcumin, in terms of their properties, advantages, and disadvantages, based on literature data.

Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Roscoe ex Sm.: biotechnological advancements and perspectives.

Shampoo ginger (Zingiber zerumbet) is a multipurpose ginger that has confirmed their role as food, medicine, and for decorative purposes. The rhizome possesses zerumbone, curcuminoids, and other bioactive molecules that play crucial roles in treating several human diseases. To date, several reports are existing on the in vitro biotechnology of Z. zerumbet. The present review highlights the consolidated clarification and comprehensive explanation of in vitro biotechnological implications based on plant tissue culture for the improvement of Z. zerumbet. Studies on biotechnological involvement in shampoo ginger were primarily emphasized in the study of the last 3 decades, for instance, in vitro regeneration, micro-rhizome production, callus culture, somatic embryogenesis, ex vitro establishment, and molecular assessment of in vitro-raised clones. Moreover, this review provides insights into different in vitro culture systems and endophytes involvement in the production of secondary metabolites. This review will assist for advanced research areas related to in vitro manipulation of shampoo ginger, especially for the commercial cultivation of secondary metabolites rich clones of Z. zerumbet. Moreover, it will provide an insight into crop upgrading and breeding programs of this underutilized, aromatic, and medicinal plant for amended yield and quality. KEY POINTS: • Z. zerumbet is an aromatic spice and an ornamental • This review comprehensively assesses Z. zerumbet tissue culture • Key shortcomings and future directions of Z. zerumbet biotechnology.

Effects of Curcuminoids and Surfactant-Formulated Curcumin on Chemo-Resistant Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, and chronic gut inflammation is a risk factor for CRC initiation and development. Curcuma longa L., or turmeric, has become one of the most studied herbal medicines in recent years due to its anticancer potentials. It is generally accepted that the major component in turmeric is curcuminoids, and the active constituent in curcuminoids is curcumin. However, unprocessed curcumin is characterized by poor water solubility, which means low bioavailability in humans. To increase the bioavailability of curcumin, in this study, we utilized a novel surfactant-formulated curcumin (CuminUP60[Formula: see text]) and evaluated its CRC chemopreventive activities. Compared with the chemo-sensitive CRC cell line HCT-116, the management of the CRC SW-480 cell line is a challenge, since the latter is chemo-resistant. In other words, these cancer cells resist the effects of the chemotherapy. Using the newly formulated CuminUP60[Formula: see text] water solution, this study demonstrated its strong antiproliferative effects on the SW-480 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This new formulation induced early apoptosis and arrested the cell cycle in the G2/M phase via the upregulation of cyclin B1. We also observed that this new formulation possessed inhibitory effects on Th17 cell differentiation, which regulates the body's immune response against gut malignancies. In summary, our results exhibited a potential clinical utility of the surfactant-formulated curcumin in chemo-resistant colorectal cancer management.

The therapeutic potential of curcumin and its related substances in turmeric: From raw material selection to application strategies.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is a medicinal plant used extensively in Chinese and Indian traditional medicine as a home remedy for various diseases. It has been used for medical purposes for centuries. Today, turmeric has become one of the most popular medicinal herbs, spices, and functional supplements worldwide. Curcuminoids are linear diary-lheptanoids from the rhizomes that include curcumin and two related compounds: demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin, which are the active components of the C. longa plant, play a crucial role in numerous functions. This review summarises the composition of turmeric and the properties of curcumin regarding its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-colorectal cancer, and other physiological activity. In addition, the dilemma of the application of curcumin due to its low water solubility and bioavailability was discussed. Finally, this article provides three novel application strategies based on previous studies: using curcumin analogues and related substances, gut microbiota regulation, and using curcumin-loaded exosome vesicles and turmeric-derived exosome-like vesicles to overcome application limitations.

Metabolomics and Transcriptomics Reveal that Diarylheptanoids Vary in Amomum tsao-ko Fruit Development.

Amomum tsao-ko is an important spice and medicinal plant that has received extensive attention in recent years for its high content of bioactive constituents with the potential for food additives and drug development. Diarylheptanoids are major and characteristic compounds in A. tsao-ko; however, the biochemical and molecular foundation of diarylheptanoids in fruit is unknown. We performed comparative metabolomics and transcriptomics studies in the ripening stages of A. tsao-ko fruit. The chemical constituents of fruit vary in different harvest periods, and the diarylheptanoids have a trend to decrease or increase with fruit development. GO enrichment analysis revealed that plant hormone signaling pathways including the ethylene-activated signaling pathway, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, and response to hydrogen peroxide were associated with fruit ripening. The biosynthetic pathways including phenylpropanoid, flavonoids, and diarylheptanoids biosynthesis were displayed in high enrichment levels in ripening fruit. The molecular networking and phytochemistry investigation of A. tsao-ko fruit has isolated and identified 10 diarylheptanoids including three new compounds. The candidate genes related to diarylheptanoids were obtained by coexpression network analysis and phylogenetic analysis. Two key genes have been verified to biosynthesize linear diarylheptanoids. This integrative approach provides gene regulation and networking associated with the biosynthesis of characteristic diarylheptanoids, which can be used to improve the quality of A. tsao-ko as food and medicine.

Microfluidic fabricated bisdemethoxycurcumin thermosensitive liposome with enhanced antitumor effect.

Bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) is the main active ingredient that is isolated from Zingiberaceae plants, wherein it has excellent anti-tumor effects. However, insolubility in water limits its clinical application. Herein, we reported a microfluidic chip device that can load BDMC into the lipid bilayer to form BDMC thermosensitive liposome (BDMC TSL). The natural active ingredient glycyrrhizin was selected as the surfactant to improve solubility of BDMC. Particles of BDMC TSL had small size, homogenous size distribution, and enhanced cultimulative release in vitro. The anti-tumor effect of BDMC TSL on human hepatocellular carcinomas was investigated via 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method, live/dead staining, and flowcytometry. These results showed that the formulated liposome had a strong cancer cell inhibitory, and presented a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on migration. Further mechanistic studies showed that BDMC TSL combined with mild local hyperthermia could significantly upregulate B cell lymphoma 2 associated X protein levels and decrease B cell lymphoma 2 protein levels, thereby inducing cell apoptosis. The BDMC TSL that was fabricated via microfluidic device were decomposed under mild local hyperthermia, which could beneficially enhance the anti-tumor effect of raw insoluble materials and promote translation of liposome.

Anti-Neuroinflammatory and Neuroprotective Effect of Intermedin B Isolated from the Curcuma longa L. via NF-κB and ROS Inhibition in BV2 Microglia and HT22 Hippocampal Cells.

Compounds derived from Curcuma longa L. (C. longa) have been extensively studied and reported to be effective and safe for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, but most research has been focused on curcuminoids derived from C. longa. As neurodegenerative diseases are associated with oxidation and inflammation, the present study aimed to isolate and identify active compounds other than curcuminoids from C. longa to develop substances to treat these diseases. Seventeen known compounds, including curcuminoids, were chromatographically isolated from the methanol extracts of C. longa, and their chemical structures were identified using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Among the isolated compounds, intermedin B exhibited the best antioxidant effect in the hippocampus and anti-inflammatory effect in microglia. Furthermore, intermedin B was confirmed to inhibit the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p-65 and IκBα, exerting anti-inflammatory effects and inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species, exerting neuroprotective effects. These results highlight the research value of active components other than curcuminoids in C. longa-derived compounds and suggest that intermedin B may be a promising candidate for the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.

Diarylheptanoids with hypoglycemic potency from the rhizomes of Kaempferia galanga.

Five new diarylheptanoids, kaemgalangins A-E (1-5), and seven known ones were isolated from the rhizomes of Kaempferia galanga. The structures of new compounds were identified by spectroscopic analyses involving 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, IR, UV, [α]D, ECD calculations, and chemical methods. All compounds were tested for their hypoglycemic effects against α-glucosidase, Gpa and PTP1B enzymes, and stimulative effects on GLP-1 secretion. Kaemgalangins A (1) and E (5) showed significant inhibition on α-glucosidase with IC50 values of 45.3 and 116.0 µM; renealtin B (8) showed inhibition on GPa with an IC50 value of 68.1 µM; whereas all compounds were inactive to PTP1B. Docking study manifested that 1 well located in the catalytic pocket of α-glucosidase and OH-4″ played important roles in maintaining activity. Moreover, all compounds showed obviously stimulative effects on GLP-1 with promoting rates of 826.9%-1738.3% in NCI-H716 cells. This study suggests that the diarylheptanoids in K. galanga have antidiabetic potency by inhibiting α-glucosidase and Gpa enzymes, and promoting GLP-1 secretion.

Pharmacological safety of dimethoxy curcumin-human serum albumin conjugate for potential therapeutic purpose.

Medicinal properties of curcumin are widely published. Previously, researchers used curcuminoid mixture comprising three chemical forms, out of which, the highest quantity is the most active molecule-dimethoxy curcumin (DMC). Reduced bioavailability, poor aqueous solubility, and quick hydrolytic degradation of DMC have projected challenges limiting its therapeutic value. However, selective conjugation of DMC with human serum albumin (HSA) enhances drug stability and solubility by several folds. Studies using animal models demonstrated potential anti-cancer/anti-inflammatory effects of DMCHSA; both studies showed results of local administration in peritoneal cavity and rabbit knee joint. DMC has prospects as intravenous therapeutic agent because carrier is HSA. However, before in vivo testing, important preclinical data required are toxicological safety and bioavailability of soluble forms of DMC. This study evaluated absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of DMCHSA. Imaging technology and molecular analysis proved bio-distribution. The study also assessed the pharmacological safety of DMCHSA in mice in terms of its acute and sub-acute toxicity, complying with regulatory toxicology. Overall, the study demonstrated the safety pharmacology of DMCHSA upon intravenous infusion. This is a novel study establishing the safety of highly soluble and stable formulation of DMCHSA, qualifying it for intravenous administration and further efficacy evaluation in suitable disease models.

Rescue effect of curcumin against copper toxicity.

Turmeric has long been used not only as an indispensable part of Asian cuisine but as a medicinal herb for dressing wounds, bites, burns, treating eye infections and acne. Curcuminoids are the active substances and their synthetic derivatives (i.e. diacetylcurcumin (DAC) and metal-curcumin complexes) possess an incredibly wide range of medicinal properties that encompass chelation capacity for multiple heavy metals, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory properties, cytotoxicity against cancerous cells, antiviral and antibacterial effects, antihypertensive and insulin sensitizing role, and regulatory role on apoptosis. The aforementioned properties have put curcumin on spotlight as a potential treatment for ailments such as, hepatic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, auto-immune diseases, malignancies and conditions associated with metal overload. Copper is essential for major biological functions, however, an excess causes chronic ailments including neurodegenerative disorders. The fascinating approach of curcumin could alleviate such effect by forming a complex. Thus, this review aims to present available data on the effect of copper-curcumin interaction in various in vitro, ex-vivo in vivo, and clinical studies.

Novel green production of natural-like vanilla extract from curcuminoids.

The demand for natural vanilla extract, and vanillin in particular, by far exceeds the current production, as both the cultivation of vanilla beans and the extraction of vanillin are laborious. For this purpose, most vanillin used today is produced synthetically, contrary to the general trend toward bio-based products. The present study deals with the synthesis of nature-based vanillin, starting with the more accessible rhizomes of the plant Curcuma longa. Besides vanillin, vanillic acid and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde are synthesized that way, which are also found in the natural vanilla bean. The extraction of the curcuminoids and, finally, their conversion to the flavors are performed using visible light and food-grade chemicals only. A binary mixture of ethanol and triacetin, as well as a surfactant-free microemulsion consisting of water, ethanol, and triacetin, are investigated in this context. The results exceed the literature values for Soxhlet extraction of vanilla beans by a factor > 7.

Natural versus synthetic curcuminoids as photosensitizers: Photobleaching and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy evaluation.

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has been studied as an alternative to combat bacterial resistance to the commonly used antibiotics. aPDT requires the use of a photosensitizer and curcumin is one of the more promising, though the usage of natural curcumin can be inconsistent in certain biomedical uses due to differences in soil condition and turmeric age, besides a large quantity of the plant is necessary to obtain useful amounts of the actual molecule. As such, a synthetic analogue is preferred as it is pure, and its components are better characterized. The present work studied photophysical differences in both natural and synthetic curcumin using photobleaching experiments and searched for whether differences existed in aPDT studies against Staphylococcus aureus. The results showed a faster O2 consumption and a singlet oxygen's generation rate lower by the synthetic curcumin, in comparison with the natural derivative. However, no statistical difference was observed when inactivating S. aureus and these results were following a concentration-based pattern. Thus, the use of synthetic curcumin is indicated, as it can be obtained in controlled amounts and with less environmental impact. Although there are small changes in a photophysical context comparing natural versus synthetic curcumins, we did not observe statistical differences in the photoinactivation of S.aureus bacteria, and reproducibility in biomedical contexts is better achieved with the synthetic analogue.

Separation and identification of terpene-conjugated curcuminoids based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and their in vitro anti-inflammatory activities.

Terpene-conjugated curcuminoids are conjugates of curcuminoids and bisabolanes in the rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. The fragmentation pathways of known three terpene-conjugated curcuminoids (bisabolocurcumin-ether, bisabocurcumin, and demethoxybisabolocurcumin ether) and curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin were investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry in negative mode to rapidly search and discover similar unknown compounds of the acetone fraction of turmeric. Subsequently, compounds 1-3 were founded in the acetone fraction based on molecular weight and above fragmentation pathways (the characteristic fragment ions, the most and second most abundant fragment ions produced in MS2 spectra). Terpecurcumin X (1) and terpecurcumin Y (3) were further separated by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry guided isolation technique to verify their structures by nuclear magnetic resonance, electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectroscopy, ultraviolet and visible spectra and infrared spectra. Interestingly, 1 and 3 were new compounds. The results indicate the feasibility and significant advantages of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the rapid discovery and analysis of new constituents in traditional Chinese medicine. In vitro, Terpene-conjugated curcuminoids had better nitric oxide inhibitory activity than the other seven curcuminoids (demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, curdione, curcumenone, bisacurone, curcumenol, and germacron).