Curcumin in the Treatment of Various Diseases: Mechanism of Action, Bioavailability, Therapeutic Effects, and Current Clinical Trials.
Wang Lin, Pan Qifei, Long Wenjuan, Li Xinyao, Mao Jianqin, Zhou Sitong, Wang Zihui, Zou Xuelian, She Yuqing, Shi Mingqin, Zhou Yang, Du Jiarong, Hu Zhongyang, Lv Xiaoman, Chen Yishu, Qin Dongdong
Abstract
Curcumin is a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and anticancer properties. Numerous studies have demonstrated that curcumin can regulate multiple molecular targets, including signaling pathways such as Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT), PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1)/Parkin, Parkin, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE). Notably, curcumin exhibits therapeutic potential in a variety of diseases, including neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, inflammatory diseases, and autoimmune diseases. Its mechanisms of action are associated with the suppression of inflammation, regulation of mitochondrial dysfunction, inhibition of apoptosis, attenuation of oxidative stress, and enhancement of neuroplasticity. However, the extremely low oral bioavailability of curcumin limits its application in disease therapy. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in curcumin research, including its pharmacological properties, molecular mechanisms of action, and nanodelivery systems, such as nanoparticles, liposomes, nanoemulsions, polymeric micelles, and exosomes, which have been developed to enhance curcumin bioavailability. Furthermore, this review provides an in-depth overview of the therapeutic benefits of curcumin in neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, inflammatory diseases, and autoimmune diseases. It focuses on evidence from in vitro studies, in vivo experiments, and potential clinical applications, while also discusses the therapeutic potential, current challenges, and future perspectives of curcumin in disease management.
Key Findings
- Curcumin regulates multiple molecular targets including the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway, which is crucial for antioxidant responses.
- Curcumin exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and anticancer properties that contribute to its therapeutic potential.
- Nanodelivery systems such as nanoparticles and liposomes have been developed to enhance the bioavailability of curcumin, addressing its low oral absorption.
Clinical Significance
Curcumin's modulation of oxidative stress and inflammation through pathways including Nrf2/ARE suggests its potential as a therapeutic agent for diseases characterized by oxidative damage, although its clinical application is limited by poor bioavailability which novel delivery systems aim to overcome.
Citation
Wang Lin, Pan Qifei, Long Wenjuanet al.. Curcumin in the Treatment of Various Diseases: Mechanism of Action, Bioavailability, Therapeutic Effects, and Current Clinical Trials. MedComm. 2026-Nov.