Curcumin suppression of cytokine release and cytokine storm. A potential therapy for patients with Ebola and other severe viral infections.
Sordillo PP1, Helson L2.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The terminal stage of Ebola and other viral diseases is often the onset of a cytokine storm, the massive overproduction of cytokines by the body's immune system.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
The actions of curcumin in suppressing cytokine release and cytokine storm are discussed.
RESULTS:
Curcumin blocks cytokine release, most importantly the key pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α. The suppression of cytokine release by curcumin correlates with clinical improvement in experimental models of disease conditions where a cytokine storm plays a significant role in mortality.
CONCLUSION:
The use of curcumin should be investigated in patients with Ebola and cytokine storm. Intravenous formulations may allow achievement of therapeutic blood levels of curcumin.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25600522
