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Curcumin, the active ingredient of the spice turmeric, is a highly pleiotropic, complex molecule which interacts with a number of signaling targets involved in inflammation and other biological processes. Many signaling molecules ultimately signal through NF-
k
B, and whereas many pharmacological activities have been ascribed to curcumin, the inhibition of NF-
k
B signaling has been a key focus. In this regard, data from IMGENEX’s laboratories, as well as from other model systems in the scientific literature, provide supporting evidence for curcumin as an extremely powerful research tool for inhibiting NF-
k
B activation.
NF-
k
B is a ubiquitous eukaryotic transcription factor that plays a key role in regulating a number of cellular processes including inflammation, cellular proliferation, transformation and tumorigenesis. In unstimulated cells, NF-
k
B dimers are held in the cytoplasm by I
k
Bs which mask the nuclear localization signals (NLS) of NF-
k
B required for nuclear translocation and activation. Following cell stimulation, I
k
B
a
is phosphorylated and degraded. This results in NLS exposure, thereby enabling NF-
k
B to translocate to the nucleus and activate transcription. Evidence suggests that curcumin suppresses NF-
k
B activation and subsequent proinflammatory gene expression by blocking I
k
B phosphorylation.
Curcumin (Cat. No. IMG-2010)
is a highly purified extract from the turmeric plant Curcuma longa especially designed for research use. Our curcumin is assay validated, and for a limited time only, we are offering a complimentary vial with the purchase of any TLR/NF-
k
B Pathway Inhibitor or Cell Line, or NF-
k
B Readout Assay Kit.
References:
1. Curcumin as a therapeutic agent: The evidence from in vitro, animal and human studies. Epstein J, IR Sanderson, and TT Macdonald. B J Nutrition. doi:10.1017/S0007114509993667 (2009).
2. Anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin, a major constituent of Curcuma longa: A review of preclinical and clinical research. Jurenka JS. Alternative Medicine Review 2:141153 (2009).
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