Effects of curcumin and curcumin analogues on TRP channels

Abstract

A series of 33 curcumin analogues was synthesized and tested on TRPA1, TRPM8, and TRPV1 channels. Twenty of them acted as good modulators of TRPA1 channels. None was able to significantly activate TRPM8 channels, while curcumin itself and six curcuminoids belonging to the 1,3-dicarbonyl and acyclic series behaved as 'true' antagonists with IC₅₀ values<5μM. Only few curcuminoids were able to modulate TRPV1 channels with EC₅₀ and IC₅₀ values ranging from 3.4 and 6.0μM.

Keywords: Curcumin; Curcuminoids; TRP channels; TRPA1; TRPM8; TRPV1.