The Effect of Curcumin on Idiopathic Parkinson Disease: A Clinical and Skin Biopsy Study

Abstract

There are currently no standardized therapies for Parkinson disease (PD). Curcumin shows anti-amyloidogenic properties in vitro and may be a promising treatment for PD. We evaluated the effects of curcumin supplementation on clinical scales and misfolded, phosphorylated α-synuclein (p-syn) accumulation in skin biopsies in 19 PD patients who received curcumin supplementation for 12 months and 14 PD patients to treated with curcumin. The patients underwent autonomic (COMPASS-31), motor (MDS-UPDRS and H&Y) and nonmotor (NMSS) questionnaires and skin biopsies to evaluate clinical involvement and p-syn load in skin nerves at the beginning and the end of study. Curcumin and curcuminoid levels were assayed in plasma and CSF. Supplemented patients showed detectable CSF curcuminoid levels that were lower than those in plasma. They showed a decrease of COMPASS-31 and NMSS scores, and a slight p-syn load decrease versus untreated patients who displayed a worsening of these parameters despite increased levodopa doses. Multiple regression models showed a significant effect of curcumin supplementation in decreasing the worsening of the clinical parameters and p-syn load at after curcumin treatment. These data suggest that curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier, that it is effective in ameliorating clinical parameters and that it shows a tendency to decrease skin p-syn accumulation in PD patients.

Possible Signaling Pathways in the Gut Microbiota–Brain Axis for the Development of Parkinson’s Disease Caused by Chronic Consumption of Food Additives

“…In addition, Ji 33 reported the multifarmaceutical potential of curcumin on PD because it prevents the aggregation of α-Syn and fibrillation and inhibits monoamine oxidase B. Recently, Corteś 34 reported the therapeutic molecular mechanisms of curcumin on PD and Donadio 35 presented the effects of curcumin on idiopathic PD.…”

Progress in the Treatment of Central Nervous System Diseases Based on Nanosized Traditional Chinese Medicine

“…It primarily improves the motor and behavioral impairments in PD mice by reducing the deposition of phosphorylated 𝛼-syn and the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. [137,138] In terms of antioxidation, it not only reduces the generation of mitochondrial ROS but also through the phenolic hydroxyl and alkyl CH 2 groups in its structure, binds with ROS to neutralize and eliminate them by capturing hydrogen atoms, thereby reducing oxidative stress in the brain. [139,140] CUR has also significantly contributed to the prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke.…”

Navigating α‐Synuclein Aggregation Inhibition: Methods, Mechanisms, and Molecular Targets

“…[114] Other works confirm restoration of motor coordination upon curcumin administration, [115] as well as a decrease of αSyn fibril formation in MPTP mouse model [115b] and in the skin biopsy study on idiopathic PD. [116] Taking into account controversial data on its aggregation inhibitor properties, low solubility, and stability in organism, [112] animal tests based on behavior should be taken with caution.…”