Curcumin is a natural phenolic compound with impressive antioxidant properties. Curcumin is recently proved to exert its chemopreventive effects partly through the activation of nuclear factor (erythroid-2 related) factor 2 (Nrf2).
IC50 Value:
Target: Nrf2
Curcumin possesses chemopreventive properties against several types of cancer, but the molecular mechanisms by which it induces apoptosis of cancer cells and inhibits cancer cell proliferation are not clearly understood.
in vitro: curcumin induced the expression of forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) through activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signaling. Curcumin inhibited cell proliferation, which was associated with upregulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, p27 and p21, and downregulation of cyclin D1 [2]. Treatment of AGS and HT-29 cells with curcumin enhanced the cleavage of procaspase-3, -7, -8 and -9. Meanwhile, curcumin induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondrial dysfunction as evidenced by up-regulation of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), phosphorylation of JNK and down-regulation of SERCA2ATPase, release of cytochrome c, decrease of Bcl-2 and reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential in both AGS and HT-29 cells [3]. Curcumin upregulated protein level of NF-kappaB inhibitor IkappaBalpha and downregulated protein levels of c-Jun and AR in prostate cancer cell line [5].
in vivo: Chronic treatment with curcumin significantly reversed the CMS-induced behavioral abnormalities (reduced sucrose preference and decreased locomotor activity) in stressed rats. Additionally, curcumin effectively inhibited cytokine gene expression at both the mRNA and the protein level and reduced the activation of NF-κB [4]. 

Bardoxolone

Bardoxolone(RTA 402) is the lead molecule in Reata's portfolio of Antioxidant Inflammation Modulators (AIMs). The AIMs are potent inducers of the transcription factor Nrf2.
IC50 value:
Target: Nrf2
Nrf2 is an an important biological target that controls the production of many of the body's antioxidant and detoxification enzymes.  Because oxidative stress and inflammation occur throughout the course of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and are known to contribute to loss of kidney function, agents that activate the Nrf2 pathway in patients with CKD may provide a novel method for preserving or improving kidney function.  Bardoxolone methyl is currently being investigated as a potential oral once-a-day treatment for CKD.