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Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on the Gut-Brain Axis

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Curcumin and Neurodegenerative Diseases

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Abstract

Turmeric is a spice widely known for its medicinal properties, including its effects on gut and neurobehavioral health. However, the literature is limited regarding the effects of turmeric on the complex bidirectional system that makes up the gut-brain axis. In this sense, herein we aimed to compile the main functional properties of turmeric evaluated in vitro and in vivo studies with a focus on potential effects on the gut-brain axis. The results showed that curcumin is the most studied bioactive compound in turmeric. In vitro and in vivo studies with animal models have demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anticancer properties of turmeric, its isolated compounds and also saffron essential oil. Some studies have shown the effects of this spice against gastrointestinal diseases, on the balance of the intestinal microbiota, and neurobehavioral parameters. However, clinical trials on the subject are scarce. Research indicates that turmeric varieties and its derivatives can be used as valuable inputs in the food and pharmaceutical industries. As main perspectives, we highlighted that more research is needed to understand the specific mechanisms by which turmeric compounds affect health maintenance and their potential therapeutic targets in diseases that affect the gut-brain axis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Experimental Nutrition Laboratory, Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), Cidade Universitária, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil

    Maria Letícia da Veiga Dutra, Januse Míllia Dantas de Araújo, Rafael Ferreira Lima, Harley Mateus Coutinho Correia Santos & Jailane de Souza Aquino

  2. Post Graduate Program in Nutrition Sciences, Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), Cidade Universitária, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil

    Maria Letícia da Veiga Dutra & Jailane de Souza Aquino

  3. Post Graduate Program in Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), Cidade Universitária, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil

    Januse Míllia Dantas de Araújo & Jailane de Souza Aquino

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  1. Maria Letícia da Veiga Dutra
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  2. Januse Míllia Dantas de Araújo
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  3. Rafael Ferreira Lima
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  4. Harley Mateus Coutinho Correia Santos
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  5. Jailane de Souza Aquino
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Correspondence to Jailane de Souza Aquino .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biotechnology, Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University, Amravati, Maharashtra, India

    Mahendra Rai

  2. Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Brazil

    Chistiane M. Feitosa

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da Veiga Dutra, M.L., de Araújo, J.M.D., Lima, R.F., Santos, H.M.C.C., de Souza Aquino, J. (2023). Effects of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) on the Gut-Brain Axis. In: Rai, M., Feitosa, C.M. (eds) Curcumin and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-7731-4_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-7731-4_10

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