Therapeutic potential of curcumin in cardiovascular disease: Targeting atherosclerosis pathophysiology

Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease defined by plaque formation in artery walls, is still a significant cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality globally. Despite advancements in conventional medicines, the search for natural substances with several therapeutic applications continues. Curcumin, a polyphenol produced from Curcuma longa, has emerged as a promising anti-atherosclerosis treatment due to its powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, lipid-modulating, and endothelial-protective characteristics. This article explores how curcumin reduces atherosclerosis by inhibiting NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, reducing oxidative stress, modulating lipid metabolism, and increasing nitric oxide bioavailability. Curcumin has been shown in preclinical studies to reduce aortic lesion area, inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines, and improve endothelial function, and clinical trials show that it has the potential to improve vascular health in at-risk groups. However, issues such as low bioavailability demand additional research into improved formulations. By integrating current information, this article highlights curcumin's therapeutic potential and advocates for robust clinical trials to validate its efficacy and establish standardized dose regimens for cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment.