Alternative Health Blog

In this study, involving a cell culture study and an animal study (diabetic rat model), results found that the detrimental effects of high glucose on lipid peroxidation, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and TNF-alpha secretion were inhibited by curcumin in cultured monocytes. In rats, diabetes was found to increase blood levels of IL-6, MCP-1, TNF-alpha, glucose, HbA(1), and oxidative stress. These levels significantly decreased in rats treated with curcumin. The authors conclude, "Thus, curcumin can decrease markers of vascular inflammation and oxidative stress levels in both a cell-culture model and in the blood of diabetic rats. This suggests that curcumin supplementation can reduce glycemia and the risk of vascular inflammation in diabetes." Additional research is warranted.
 
Reference:
"Curcumin Supplementation Lowers TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 Secretion in High Glucose-Treated Cultured Monocytes and Blood Levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6, MCP-1, Glucose, and Glycosylated Hemoglobin in Diabetic Rats," Jain SK, Rains J, et al, Antioxi Redox Signal, 2008 Oct 31