Curcumin as a natural potential drug candidate against important zoonotic viruses and prions: A narrative review.

Zoonotic diseases are major public health concerns and undeniable threats to human health. Among Zoonotic diseases, zoonotic viruses and prions are much more difficult to eradicate, as they result in higher infections and mortality rates. Several investigations have shown curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric, to have wide spectrum properties such as anti-microbial, anti-vascular, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-neoplastic, anti-oxidant, and immune system modulator properties. In the present study, we performed a comprehensive review of existing in silico, in vitro, and in vivo evidence on the antiviral (54 important zoonotic viruses) and anti-prion properties of curcumin and curcuminoids in PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Database searches yielded 13,380 results, out of which 216 studies were eligible according to inclusion criteria. Of 216 studies, 135 (62.5%), 24 (11.1%), and 19 (8.8%) were conducted on the effect of curcumin and curcuminoids against SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A virus, and dengue virus, respectively. This review suggests curcumin and curcuminoids as promising therapeutic agents against a wide range of viral zoonoses by targeting different proteins and signaling pathways.

Curcumin Combats against Organophosphate Pesticides Toxicity: A Review of the Current Evidence and Molecular Pathways.

Organophosphate compounds are regarded as a class of pesticides that are used in farming. Their extensive use, especially in developing countries, is a serious public health problem. Numerous studies have shown the effects of these toxins on various parts of the human and other vertebrates' bodies, including the cardiovascular, hepatobiliary, renal, and reproductive systems. Curcumin is a polyphenol compound obtained from the rhizome of the Curcuma longa. Curcumin has been known as a dietary spice, food additive, and traditional medicine since many years ago. In recent decades, the medicinal characteristics, clinical aspects, and biological activity of curcumin have been extensively examined. The most examined positive characteristics of curcumin are its anti- inflammatory and anti-oxidant qualities. This review will deal with the pharmacological properties of curcumin as well as an update of currently available studies in terms of curcumin's uses and function against organophosphate pesticides-induced toxicity on different human organs.