The PI3K/Akt pathway: a target for curcumin’s therapeutic effects

The purpose of this review study is to investigate the effect of curcumin on the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway in various diseases. Curcumin, the main compound found in turmeric, has attracted a lot of attention for its diverse pharmacological properties. These properties have increased the therapeutic potential of curcumin in chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, kidney disease, and neurodegenerative diseases. One of the main mechanisms of the effect of curcumin on health is its ability to modulate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. This pathway plays an important role in regulating vital cellular processes such as growth, cell survival, metabolism, and apoptosis. Disruption of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway is associated with the incidence of several diseases. Electronic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus were searched with the keywords “phosphoinositide 3-kinase” AND “protein kinase B “AND “curcumin” in the title/abstract. Also, following keywords “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease” AND “diabetes” AND “obesity” AND “kidney disease” and “neurodegenerative diseases” was searched in the whole text. Research indicates that curcumin offers potential benefits for several health conditions. Studies have shown it can help regulate blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and protect the heart, kidneys, and brain. This protective effect is partially achieved by regulating the PI3K-Akt survival pathway, which helps improve metabolic disorders and oxidative stress. By examining how curcumin affects this vital cell pathway, researchers can discover new treatment strategies for a range of diseases.