Curcumin, a Compound from Natural Sources, a True Scientific Challenge – A Review

Abstract

Curcumin, a plant-derived polyphenolic compound, naturally present in turmeric (Curcuma longa), has been the subject of intensive investigations on account of its various activities. The implementation of safe, beneficial and highly functional compounds from natural sources in human nutrition/prevention/therapy requires some modifications in order to achieve their multi-functionality, improve their bioavailability and delivery strategies, with the main aim to enhance their effectiveness. The low aqueous solubility of curcumin, its rapid metabolism and elimination from the body, and consequently, poor bioavailability, constitute major obstacles to its application. The main objectives of this review are related to reported strategies to overcome these limitations and, thereby, improve the solubility, stability and bioavailability of curcumin. The effectiveness of curcumin could be greatly improved by using nanoparticle-based carriers. The significance of the quality of a substance delivery system is reflected in the fact that carrying curcumin as a food additive/nutrition also means carrying the active biological product/drug. This review summarizes the state of the art, and highlights some examples and the most significant advances in the field of curcumin research.

Molecular targets of curcumin in breast cancer (Review)

“…A number of previous studies suggest that curcumin inhibits NF-κB expression and therefore additional downstream signaling pathways, ultimately leading to the silencing of inflammatory cytokines, including chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)1 and CXCL2 (19); and to alterations in the expression of MMP-9, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), uPA receptor, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and chemokine receptor 4 (3,72,75). In this manner, curcumin is likely to inhibit the growth and invasion of breast cancer, in part, by downregulating NF-κB signaling pathways.…”

Modulation of allergic responses by mitochondrial STAT3 inhibitors

“…In this study, we present our findings using two mitochondrial STAT3 inhibitors that are based on curcumin, a plant‐derived polyphenolic compound naturally present in turmeric ( Curcuma longa ) . Curcumin is a well‐known inhibitor of STAT3, and here, we have conjugated it to a mitochondrial‐targeting small molecule .…”

Curcumin-loaded redox-responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticles for targeted breast cancer therapy

“…The tumours in the mice treated with MSN/CUR-PEI-FA were significantly smaller than those in the control mice and mice treated with free CUR (Figure 14(a,c,d)), with the latter two groups showing no difference in the tumour size. CUR has low bioavailability since it is rapidly metabolized or conjugated in vivo and is transformed into glucuronides and sulphates [43,44]. Our results demonstrated that MSN/CUR-PEI-FA could specifically target the tumour site, leading to the enhanced drug delivery and antitumour effects.…”