Exploring the Hepatoprotective Mechanisms of Curcuma longa: Evidence from Porcine and Human Systems

Abstract

Curcuma longa, commonly known as turmeric, is a renowned medicinal herb recognized for its hepatoprotective and gastrointestinal benefits, particularly in counteracting the deleterious effects of poor dietary habits. The principal bioactive compound, curcumin, exhibits significant regulatory potential over gene expression involved in critical biological and metabolic pathways related to detoxification, oxidative stress mitigation, and inflammatory control. Given its multifaceted pharmacological properties, curcumin is increasingly being studied for its molecular mechanisms in the prevention and management of hepatic dysfunction. Transcriptomic analyses are essential to comprehensively understand the hepatoprotective actions of Curcuma longa at the molecular level. Young pigs, due to their highly responsive immune systems and physiological similarities to humans, serve as an ideal model for investigating these effects. In a forthcoming study, immediately following slaughter, a wide array of vital organs and tissue segments were collected from all experimental swine (n = 154), including the liver, kidneys, heart, pancreas, spleen, pituitary gland, stomach (ventriculus), and contents of the gastrointestinal tract (duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, colon), along with blood serum obtained using both heparin and EDTA. Comprehensive haematological and biochemical analyses were performed on blood samples drawn via venipuncture from the external jugular vein (vena jugularis externa) before slaughter and repeated post-mortem. These evaluations, conducted at the Municipal Hospital Laboratory in Olsztyn, encompassed a broad range of parameters, including WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, PLT, NEUT, LYM, MONO, EOS, BASO, as well as immunoglobulin classes (IgA, IgE, IgM, IgG), and standard biochemical markers such as TC, HDL, LDL, TG, GLU, ALT, AST, ALP, BIL, and GGTP. Our preliminary findings demonstrated a significant protective effect of CL against AFB1-induced alterations in pigs, specifically reflected in the blood parameters lymphocyte and neutrophil counts. 

Our preliminary results concludes that the genetic and physiological congruence between pigs and humans further underscores the utility of the porcine model in exploring gene expression changes relevant to human health. This enables the identification of therapeutic targets and supports the development of evidence-based interventions for liver diseases. Integrating these findings into modern clinical practice holds promise not only for advancing our understanding of curcumin’s protective functions but also for improving outcomes in individuals suffering from chronic hepatic conditions and malignancies that continue to pose significant global health and economic burdens.