Role of Curcumin in Metabolic Syndrome

Risk factors (dietary or environmental) that galvanize, risks for heart disease and related health problems are known as metabolic syndromes. Obesity and Diabetes are one of the main risks known. The over growth of adipose tissues is one of the major reasons to obesity and insulin resistant diabetes as they are known as fuel storage and fundamentally involved in energy expenditure and regulation. Obesity is abnormal accumulation of these tissues that results in diabetes and related health risks. Dietary polyphenols are reported as growth suppressers of adipose tissues through their antiangiogenic activity and by modulating adipocyte metabolism. We examined the effect of curcumin on angiogenesis and adipocyte development in a cell culture system and in mice fed a high fat diet. Curcumin in a dose-dependent manner suppressed adipocyte differentiation and caused apoptosis. Curcumin increased AMPK phosphorylation, reduced GPAT, and increased CPT-1 expression, which lead to increased oxidation and decreased fatty acid esterification. The in vivo effect of curcumin on the expression of these enzymes was also confirmed by RT-PCR in subcutaneous adipose tissue. In addition, dietary curcumin significantly lowered blood cholesterol and triglycerides levels and the expression of PPAR- and C/EBP- two key transcription factors involved in adipogenesis and lipogenesis. The curcumin suppression of angiogenesis in adipose tissue together with its effect on lipid metabolism in adipocytes may contribute to the total body fat reduction. Our findings suggest that dietary curcumin supplementation may have potential benefit in preventing obesity and associated complications.