Curcumin: A potentially powerful tool to reverse cisplatin-induced toxicity

Pharmacol Res. 2017 Mar:117:218-227. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.12.037. Epub 2016 Dec 29.

Abstract

Curcumin is a naturally occurring polyphenol isolated from Curcuma longa that has gained considerable interest over the last decades due to its beneficial effects for human health. Moreover, the usage of cisplatin, a platinum-based chemotherapeutic, is associated with several adverse effects affecting the quality of life of the patients. Also, cisplatin therapy is jeopardized by a great challenge of resistance which reduces the efficacy of this drug. In order to conquer these dark sides of cisplatin therapy, curcumin has been widely used to fight against cisplatin-resistant cancer cells and decrease its unwanted side effects (e.g. ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity). In this review, we provide a summary of the studies done to show the protective effects of curcumin against cisplatin failure and toxicity.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Cisplatin; Curcumin; Resistance; Toxicity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Cisplatin / adverse effects*
  • Curcumin / pharmacology*
  • Curcumin / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Curcumin
  • Cisplatin