Curcumin, a promising anti-cancer therapeutic: a review of its chemical properties, bioactivity and approaches to cancer cell delivery

Abstract

The development of new anti-cancer treatments with greater efficacy and fewer side effects remains a significant challenge of modern scientific and medical research. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol found in the dietary spice turmeric, has been demonstrated to inhibit cancer cell survival and proliferation, and to induce apoptosis without promoting the development of side effects. However, due to its sparing solubility and low bioavailability, curcumin has not yet been clinically used to treat cancer. This review describes the main physicochemical properties of curcumin, including its chemical structure, stability, and degradation products as a function of pH and temperature. It also describes the proposed mechanisms by which curcumin exhibits anti-cancer activity. Finally, we review the various approaches that have been studied to enhance the solubility and bioavailability of curcumin, including the preparation of co-crystals, and the development of delivery systems based on liposomes, micelles, exosomes, nanoparticles and dendrimers.

A comparative study on the antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties of curcumin conjugated gold nanospheres and free curcumin

“…During the past few decades, this agent has been extensively investigated for its pharmacological role that includes hepatoprotective and nephroprotective functions (Kiso et al, 1983;Venkatesan, 1998;Venkatesan et al, 2000). It has been shown that potent antiinflammatory as well as anti-cancer activities (Jurenka 2009;Salem et al, 2014). Several studies on the antimicrobial and .…”

pH and CO2 Sensing by Curcumin-Coloured Cellophane Test Strip

“…Curcumin has intensively been investigated, thanks to its impact on body health (Soni et al 2011): for its anti-oxidant properties; because it appears to slow the growth of tumour cells (Naksuriyaa et al 2014;Salem et al 2014) and even to be able to kill them; it can lower cholesterol levels and reduce obesity; able to stimulate muscle regeneration after trauma (Thaloor et al 1999) corrugate skin diseases; is a healing herb for the liver, spleen, stomach, intestines, lungs and blood; can prevent and cure Alzheimer's disease and can reduce inflammatory reactions (Ammon et al 1993). …”

Evaluation of Curcumin Capped Copper Nanoparticles as Possible Inhibitors of Human Breast Cancer Cells and Angiogenesis: a Comparative Study with Native Curcumin

“…Various methodologies have been examined to deal with the solubility and bioavailability limits of curcumin and to enhance its solubility and to convey it to cancer cells (25). Early clinical studies imply that nanoparticles are advantageous for cancer therapy attributable to its capability of more focused localization in the tumor microenvironment (26).…”