Curcumin-based compositions & methods of use thereof

Abstract

Methods for modulating miRNA148a levels in a plurality of cells are disclosed. For example, the methods include providing to the cells a curcumin composition that is at least 5% curcumin III, in order to increase miRNA148a levels. In addition, compositions for elevating miRNA148a levels in a plurality of cells are disclosed, which include a curcumin composition consisting of at least 5% curcumin III and a pharmaceutically-acceptable solvent, filler, or carrier.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for elevating miRNA148a levels in a plurality of cells, which comprises providing to the cells a curcumin composition, wherein at least 5% of the curcumin composition is curcumin III. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least 30% of the curcumin composition is curcumin III. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein at least 50% of the curcumin composition is curcumin III. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein at least 70% of the curcumin composition is curcumin III. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein at least 90% of the curcumin composition is curcumin III. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the curcumin composition is effective to increase miRNA148a levels by at least 10% relative to a control cell line that does not receive the curcumin composition. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the curcumin composition is effective to increase miRNA148a levels by at least 20% relative to the control cell line. 
     
     
         8 . A method for selectively modulating miRNA148a levels in a plurality of cells, which comprises:
 (a) providing to the cells an amount of curcumin III that is effective to increase miRNA148a levels relative to a control cell line that does not receive curcumin III; or   (a) providing to the cells an amount of curcumin II that is effective to reduce miRNA148a levels relative to a control cell line that does not receive curcumin II.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein curcumin III is effective to increase miRNA148a levels by at least 10% relative to the control cell line. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein curcumin III is effective to increase miRNA148a levels by at least 20% relative to the control cell line. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein curcumin II is effective to reduce miRNA148a levels by at least 10% relative to the control cell. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein curcumin II is effective to reduce miRNA148a levels by at least 20% relative to the control cell line.