The Emerging Role of Curcumin in Inducing Neuronal Trans-differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells: a Review

Purpose This review focused on the effectiveness of utilising natural compounds like curcumin to induce the trans-differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into cells resembling neurons. Methods The literature works published in the last 10 years on the role of curcumin in inducing neuronal trans-differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells was studied using databases like PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Various experiments regarding mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) trans-differentiation, neuroprotective property of curcumin was investigated, and the data obtained from the experiments relating curcumin’s efficiency in targeting Wnt signalling pathway which plays a major role in the trans-differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into neuronal like cells have been concised into a review article to provide a clear and better understanding of the associated mechanism. A workflow depicting the review process is mentioned in Fig. 1 . Results The results of many experimental studies have concluded that curcumin aids in neuronal trans-differentiation through its role as a GSK-3β inhibitor to activate Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway and the neuronal like cells obtained through this process could act as a therapeutic tool in treating neurodegenerative disorders involving the damage of neurons. Conclusion Curcumin’s numerous beneficial properties have been used in the treatment of diseases, particularly it has given rise to a possibility of treating neurodegenerative disorders. Curcumin’s role in the induction of neuronal trans-differentiation has gained popularity in the scientific world although there are drawbacks involving the efficiency of trans-differentiation. Future studies need to focus on the molecular biology level of the trans-differentiated neuronal like cells and the precise role of curcumin in the process to emerge as a potential therapeutic agent. Lay Summary Curcumin, obtained from Curcuma longa , has vast therapeutic qualities that could be used to treat various disorders. Mesenchymal stem cell’s advantage over embryonic stem cells in ethical restraints, combined with immunosuppressive nature, has made them the preferred cellular transplantation mode for neurodegenerative illnesses. There are several works where neuronal trans-differentiation of MSCs triggered by curcumin and resveratrol has been shown to be efficient. In this review, the neuronal trans-differentiating potential of mesenchymal stem cells and curcumin’s role in modulating the associated signalling pathways have been discussed based on the reported literatures available till date. It also highlights the therapeutical efficacy of curcumin in neurodegenerative disease management. Description of Future Works Recent advances have proved curcumin’s importance in the neuronal trans-differentiation process. However, further research on the efficiency of trans-differentiation and molecular characterisation studies on the neuronal resemblance of the transdifferentiated cells in order to develop into fully functioning neurons is required to strengthen its role as a novel therapy for neurodegenerative disorders.