The Impact of Curcumin on Immune Response: An Immunomodulatory Strategy to Treat Sepsis

Primary and secondary immunodeficiencies cause an alteration in the immune response
which can increase the rate of infectious diseases and worsened prognoses. They can also alter the
immune response, thus, making the infection even worse. Curcumin is the most biologically active
component of the turmeric root and appears to be an antimicrobial agent. Curcumin cooperates
with various cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells, B, T, and natural killer cells to modify the
body’s defence capacity. Curcumin also inhibits inflammatory responses by suppressing different
metabolic pathways, reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines, and increases the expression
of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Curcumin may also affect oxidative stress and the non-coding
genetic material. This review analyses the relationships between immunodeficiency and the onset of
infectious diseases and discusses the effects of curcumin and its derivatives on the immune response.
In addition, we analyse some of the preclinical and clinical studies that support its possible use in
prophylaxis or in the treatment of infectious diseases. Lastly, we examine how nanotechnologies can
enhance the clinical use of curcumin.