Open Access

Therapeutic potential of curcumin in diabetic retinopathy (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Jian Yang
    • Xiao Miao
    • Feng-Juan Yang
    • Jin-Feng Cao
    • Xin Liu
    • Jin-Ling Fu
    • Guan-Fang Su
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: March 4, 2021     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2021.4908
  • Article Number: 75
  • Copyright: © Yang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a type of retinal microangiopathy caused by diabetes mellitus. It has become the leading cause of blindness among working individuals worldwide. DR is becoming increasingly common among younger diabetic patients and there is a need for lifelong treatment. The pathogenic mechanisms of DR are influenced by a number of factors, such as hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, inflammatory response and oxidative stress, among others. Currently, the treatment methods for DR mainly include retinal photocoagulation, vitrectomy, or anti‑vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. However, these methods have some disadvantages and limitations. Therefore, it is a matter of great interest and urgency to discover drugs that can target the pathogenesis of DR. Since ancient times, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners have accumulated extensive experiences in the use of Chinese herbal medicine for the prevention and treatment of diseases. In the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, curcumin has the effects of promoting blood circulation and relieving pain. A number of studies have also demonstrated that curcumin has multiple biological activities, including exerting anti‑apoptotic, anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant and antitumor properties. In recent years, studies have also confirmed that curcumin can prevent a variety of diabetic complications, including diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, the preventive and curative effects of curcumin on DR and its mechanisms of action have not yet been fully elucidated. The present review aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of curcumin in diabetes mellitus and DR.
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May-2021
Volume 47 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Yang J, Miao X, Yang F, Cao J, Liu X, Fu J and Su G: Therapeutic potential of curcumin in diabetic retinopathy (Review). Int J Mol Med 47: 75, 2021
APA
Yang, J., Miao, X., Yang, F., Cao, J., Liu, X., Fu, J., & Su, G. (2021). Therapeutic potential of curcumin in diabetic retinopathy (Review). International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 47, 75. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2021.4908
MLA
Yang, J., Miao, X., Yang, F., Cao, J., Liu, X., Fu, J., Su, G."Therapeutic potential of curcumin in diabetic retinopathy (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 47.5 (2021): 75.
Chicago
Yang, J., Miao, X., Yang, F., Cao, J., Liu, X., Fu, J., Su, G."Therapeutic potential of curcumin in diabetic retinopathy (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 47, no. 5 (2021): 75. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2021.4908