Effects of Aerobic Exercise and Curcumin on Apoptosis: A Review

Backgraound: The process of programmed cell or apoptosis is a naturally occurring process in the body. This process ocurrs during different phases of morphogenesis in embryonic and adulthood periods. However, it must be carefully controlled to avoid some potential diseases. The abnormal changes that affect the normal behavior of cellular components can activate the immune system. Theses changes may trigger the process of apoptosis and unusual changes in cellular components, which is the cause of many diseases. It is worth noting that many chemical compounds, including curcumin, have the ability to regulate and control apoptosis. Also, there is evidence that aerobic activity, especially with moderate intensity, plays a protective role in the process of apoptosis. This study provides a detailed overview of the research done on the impact of curcumin and aerobic activity with moderate intensity and different protocols on apoptosis. In this study, we reviewed more than 100 studies on herbal medicine and physical exercise that have been published from 1995 to 2017. The present review article indicates that long-term, moderate-intensity aerobic activity is effective in reducing apoptosis. Also, the effect of curcumin on the reduction of apoptosis is dependent on the consumption dose, and up to 200 mg / kg can reduce apoptosis. This review can be used as a basis for the combined use of traditional medicine and physical activity to optimize the process of apoptosis.