ProbioticsSmart LLC, based in Menomonie, WI, operates the brand 24hr Supplements. A number of experts at the company were listed as authors in a new review on metal-curcumin complexes that featured the company’s hero ingredient. The new research was published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Curcumin, or diferuloylmethane, is the main active constituent of the spice turmeric and has been long renowned for its anti inflammatory and other beneficial health properties. But it has also long been known that the ingredient suffers from being insoluble in water as well as exhibiting poor bioavailability, rapid metabolism and systemic elimination.
The new paper looks into the improvements in bioavailability and pharmacokinetics that can be achieved by combining curcumin with various metal ions. The researchers noted that one of moieties of the curcumin molecule is a strong chelating agent, and so reacts readily with metals.
Metals improve function of curcumin molecule
The researchers said a number of curcumin/metal complexes have been synthesized. These range from boron, at the light end of atomic weight scale, all the way up to gold at the upper end. The list of potential metallic partners includes copper, iron, manganese, nickel, silver and zinc.
The researchers said combining the curcumin molecule with various metals can have some important health benefits over the action of free curcumin.
“These complexes have the ability to enhance antioxidant activity; inhibit inflammation; exert antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer effects; and exhibit neuroprotective and gastroprotective activities,” the authors wrote.