Premium
Curcumin enhances human macrophage control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection
Author(s) -
Bai Xiyuan,
OberleyDeegan Rebecca E.,
Bai An,
Ovrutsky Alida R.,
Kinney William H.,
Weaver Michael,
Zhang Gong,
Honda Jennifer R.,
Chan Edward D.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
respirology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1440-1843
pISSN - 1323-7799
DOI - 10.1111/resp.12762
Subject(s) - curcumin , curcuma , mycobacterium tuberculosis , medicine , macrophage , immune system , tuberculosis , in vitro , apoptosis , microbiology and biotechnology , pharmacology , immunology , biology , traditional medicine , biochemistry , pathology
Background and objective With the worldwide emergence of highly drug‐resistant tuberculosis (TB), novel agents that have direct antimycobacterial effects or that enhance host immunity are urgently needed. Curcumin is a polyphenol responsible for the bright yellow‐orange colour of turmeric, a spice derived from the root of the perennial herb Curcuma longa . Curcumin is a potent inducer of apoptosis—an effector mechanism used by macrophages to kill intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) . Methods An in vitro human macrophage infection model was used to determine the effects of curcumin on MTB survival. Results We found that curcumin enhanced the clearance of MTB in differentiated THP‐1 human monocytes and in primary human alveolar macrophages. We also found that curcumin was an inducer of caspase‐3‐dependent apoptosis and autophagy. Curcumin mediated these anti‐ MTB cellular functions, in part, via inhibition of nuclear factor‐kappa B (NFκB) activation. Conclusion Curcumin protects against MTB infection in human macrophages. The host‐protective role of curcumin against MTB in macrophages needs confirmation in an animal model; if validated, the immunomodulatory anti‐TB effects of curcumin would be less prone to drug resistance development.