Antimicrobial Potential of Curcumin: Therapeutic Potential and Challenges to Clinical Applications

Abstract

Curcumin is a bioactive compound that is extracted from Curcuma longa and that is known for its antimicrobial properties. Curcuminoids are the main constituents of curcumin that exhibit antioxidant properties. It has a broad spectrum of antibacterial actions against a wide range of bacteria, even those resistant to antibiotics. Curcumin has been shown to be effective against the microorganisms that are responsible for surgical infections and implant-related bone infections, primarily Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The efficacy of curcumin against Helicobacter pylori and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, alone or in combination with other classic antibiotics, is one of its most promising antibacterial effects. Curcumin is known to have antifungal action against numerous fungi that are responsible for a variety of infections, including dermatophytosis. Candidemia and candidiasis caused by Candida species have also been reported to be treated using curcumin. Life-threatening diseases and infections caused by viruses can be counteracted by curcumin, recognizing its antiviral potential. In combination therapy with other phytochemicals, curcumin shows synergistic effects, and this approach appears to be suitable for the eradication of antibiotic-resistant microbes and promising for achieving co-loaded antimicrobial pro-regenerative coatings for orthopedic implant biomaterials. Poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and rapid degradation are the main disadvantages of curcumin. The use of nanotechnologies for the delivery of curcumin could increase the prospects for its clinical application, mainly in orthopedics and other surgical scenarios. Curcumin-loaded nanoparticles revealed antimicrobial properties against S. aureus in periprosthetic joint infections.

Curcumin and capsaicin regulate apoptosis and alleviate intestinal inflammation induced by Clostridioides difficile in vitro

“…CCM, a natural phytoconstituent extracted from the rhizomes of turmeric (Curcuma longa), is found to possess a wide array of biological features including anti-oxidant, anti-tumor and also anti-inflammatory properties [31][32][33]. Furthermore, CCM and its derivatives, bisdemethoxycurcumin and demethoxycurcumin have been shown to exert antimicrobial activities against different bacterial species particularly multidrug resistant (MDR) strains [34][35][36]. CAP, an active component obtained from the plants of genus capsicum, is the most abundant pungent molecule produced by chili pepper [30].…”

Cassia alata, Coriandrum sativum, Curcuma longa and Azadirachta indica: Food Ingredients as Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Atopic Dermatitis-A Comprehensive Review

“…Curcumin could exhibit synergistic effects with quercetin. The co-delivery of curcumin and quercetin could exhibit anti-microbial activity against MRSA at lower concentration [ 112 ]. This is in agreement with Chittasupho et al, where the combination of curcumin with quercetin would exhibit antibacterial activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa , but not in individual compounds [ 113 ].…”

Propriedades Biológicas Da Curcumina

“…Estudos mencionam a atividade antibacteriana da curcumina e sua eficácia contra diferentes tipos de bactérias (DAI et al, 2020;TEOW et al, 2016;MUNIR et al, 2022;HUSSAIN et al, 2022;ADAMCZAK, OŻAROWSKI e KARPIŃSKI, 2020). Alguns estudos comprovam essas teorias e demonstram suas propriedades, tanto em ensaios in vitro quanto in vivo (DAI et al, 2020;TEOW et al, 2016;ADAMCZAK, OŻAROWSKI e KARPIŃSKI, 2020;HUSSAIN et al, 2022;PARHAM et al, 2020).…”

“…A curcumina demonstrou eficácia também contra cepas isoladas do fungo Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, em um ensaio in vitro de microdiluição em caldo. Este estudo observou maior ação antifúngica da curcumina, quando comparada ao fluconazol, no manejo da infecção por P. brasiliensis (HUSSAIN et al, 2022).…”