Antibacterial activity of curcumin and its essential nanoformulations against some clinically important bacterial pathogens: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Multidrug‐resistant bacterial infections can kill 700,000 individuals globally each year and is considered among the top 10 global health threats faced by humanity as the arsenal of antibiotics is becoming dry and alternate antibacterial molecule is in demand. Nanoparticles of curcumin exhibit appreciable broad‐spectrum antibacterial activity using unique and novel mechanisms and thus the process deserves to be reviewed and further researched to clearly understand the mechanisms. Based on the antibiotic resistance, infection, and virulence potential, a list of clinically important bacteria was prepared after extensive literature survey and all recent reports on the antibacterial activity of curcumin and its nanoformulations as well as their mechanism of antibacterial action have been reviewed. Curcumin, nanocurcumin, and its nanocomposites with improved aqueous solubility and bioavailability are very potential, reliable, safe, and sustainable antibacterial molecule against clinically important bacterial species that uses multitarget mechanism such as inactivation of antioxidant enzyme, reactive oxygen species‐mediated cellular damage, and inhibition of acyl‐homoserine‐lactone synthase necessary for quorum sensing and biofilm formation, thereby bypassing the mechanisms of bacterial antibiotic resistance. Nanoformulations of curcumin can thus be considered as a potential and sustainable antibacterial drug candidate to address the issue of antibiotic resistance.

Influence of the Hydrophobicity of Pluronic Micelles Encapsulating Curcumin on the Membrane Permeability and Enhancement of Photoinduced Antibacterial Activity

“…Another major therapeutic use of CURC is based on its antibacterial activity against a large variety of microorganisms ranging from Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria to fungi [ 4 ].…”

Advances in the Physico-Chemical, Antimicrobial and Angiogenic Properties of Graphene-Oxide/Cellulose Nanocomposites for Wound Healing

“…GO/TiO 2 /Cur/CA nanofibers showed the highest zone of inhibition. The antimicrobial activity took place through the combined capability of TiO 2 and GO of increasing the ROS-mediated oxidative stress and leading to cell death [ 141 ] on one hand; and the possible interference of Cur with the FtsZ protein functions, involved in bacterial cytokinesis, on the other hand, resulting in the bacterial growth inhibition [ 142 , 143 ]. Finally, the GO/TiO 2 /CA nanofibers not only proved to be biocompatible, but above all they demonstrated to promote the NIH3T3 fibroblasts proliferation and migration, helping in the closure of wounds of 77% already at 12 h. On the other hand, Purnamasari et al investigated the potential improvements achieved by simultaneous incorporation of GO and a commercial drug, such as Naproxen (NA), in CA-based hydrogel formulation processed in the form of nanofibers by electrospinning [ 132 ].…”

“…Meanwhile, rGO/Ag and Cur showed an opposite effect on the mechanical properties: rGO/Ag enhanced the tensile strength, acting as a nanofiller, while Cur decreased it ( Table 4 ). In addition, the nanocomposite mat with and without Cur exhibited significant antibacterial activity, leading to an inactivation rate of 100% in P. aeruginosa and 95% in S. aureus , owing to the simultaneous release of Ag ions, which may destroy the bacteria membrane, and the Cur, which can inhibit the shikimate pathway for aromatic amino acid synthesis [ 142 ] or the pathway for the protofilament developing [ 143 ]. Finally, in vivo histopathological imaging of rat wound skin proved that nanofiber mats significantly stimulated the wound healing process: high level of adnexal growth, mature collagen fibres precipitation and neovascularization were observed after 15 days.…”

Antibacterial efficacy of greenly synthesized silver nanoparticles using nanocurcumin and silver nanoparticle gel on bovine mastitis

“…Curcumin has antibacterial properties against a wide range of bacteria, including gram-positive and gramnegative bacteria [25]. Furthermore, curcumin can be considered a potential and sustainable antibacterial drug candidate to address the problem of antibiotic resistance [26]. Several studies have confirmed its significant antibacterial activity.…”