Neuroprotective Effects of Curcumin in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Insights of Preclinical and Clinical Studies

Curcumin, The Golden Spice dates long back for the history of having medicinal effects in traditional practices like Ayurveda. For the treatment of acute ischemic stroke curcumin shows neuroprotection through various different mechanisms like regulation of neuroinflammation and inhibition of cellular apoptosis. This article elucidates the results obtained by administration of curcumin, orally, in preclinical and clinical studies. Numerous studies were searched using available databases and appropriate keywords in July 2024. Copious studies have shown positive results for its anti-inflammatory activity and tissue reparative activity. Curcumin when investigated in rat models showed inhibition of microglia pyroptosis through NF-κB suppression and NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitionand attenuates inflammation via inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. It also shows protective activity via PKC-β signalling and promotes neurogenesis of hippocampal dentate gyrus via Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway. The article also discusses future perspectives associated with the use of curcumin for stroke treatment and overcoming the bio-availability concerns of the same.