This mechanical stress triggers an inflammatory response and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that sustain inflammation and oxidative stress by promoting the activation of transcription factors like the nuclear factor-κB (NF—κB), a pro-inflammatory master switch that controls the production of inflammatory markers and mediators [9]. Inflammation and oxidative stress lead to neutrophil accumulation and an increased production of the “inflammatory Lonafarnib in vivo soup” of oxidative enzymes, cytokines and chemokines [9–11]. This eventually overcomes the antioxidant

capacity of the body [12], ultimately resulting in muscle injury and DOMS. Cellular disruption is associated to direct activation and sensibilization of the transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channel family member TRPV1 via acidification and the liberation of inflammatory eicosanoids. This

in turn sustains inflammation by liberation of inflammatory peptides Sapitinib and triggers the generation of a pain sensation (for a review, see [13]). As a constituent of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), curcumin (diferuloylmethane) has been used for centuries in the traditional medicine of India and the Far East [14, 15]. Curcumin, a powerful promoter of anti-oxidant response [16], is one of the best investigated natural products [17], and is now commercially available in a lecithin delivery system (Meriva®, Indena SpA, Milan) that improves curcuminoids bio-availability. This FHPI clinical trial formulation has accumulated significant clinical documentation of efficacy in check various conditions triggered and/or sustained by chronic inflammation, like diabetic microangiopathy and retinopathy [18], central serous chorioretinopathy [19], benign

prostatic hyperplasia [20], chemotherapy-related adverse effects in cancer patients [21] and osteoarthritis [22]. In addition, curcumin as Meriva® was also recently validated as an analgesic agent with potency at least comparable to that of acetaminophen [23]. Several studies have investigated the mechanisms by which curcumin exerts its beneficial effect. Early experimental study demonstrated that curcumin suppresses the activation of NF—κB [24, 25], an effect of critical relevance in DOMS relief, since NF—κB appears to be involved in the regulation of proteolysis and inflammation in muscle [26]. Therefore, inhibition of NF—κB by curcumin may result in a muscle-protective effect. Consistently, it has been suggested that curcumin may prevent loss of muscle mass during sepsis and endotoxaemia and may stimulate muscle regeneration after traumatic injury [26, 27]. Other mechanisms possibly responsible for the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of curcumin include induction of heat-shock response [28], reduction in the expression of the pro-inflammatory enzyme cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) [29] and promotion of the antioxidant response by activation of the transcription factor Nrf2 [30].