Research progress in curcumin nanomedicines
- Author:
Zhangran ZHU
1
;
Ran XIE
1
;
Lingyu JIA
1
;
Sihan SHEN
1
;
Yiqun WANG
1
;
Yu ZHAO
1
;
Guangwei ZHU
1
;
Weiyan CAI
1
;
Jinjing LI
2
;
Umer AWAN
3
;
Gejing DE
1
;
Shujing ZHOU
2
;
Qinghe ZHAO
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Anti-inflammatory; Antibacterial; Anticancer; Antioxidant; Antiviral; Curcumin; Nanomedicine
- From: Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(3):232-243
- CountryChina
- Language:English
- Abstract: Curcumin (Cur), a natural polyphenolic compound extracted from the rhizomes of plants belonging to the Zingiberaceae and Araceae families, has attracted considerable interest for its remarkable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anticancer activities. Extensive studies have focused on its potential in treating various diseases, including cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, and autoimmune disorders. However, its clinical application has been hampered by inherent physicochemical challenges, such as poor aqueous solubility, short half-life, and low bioavailability. To address these challenges, nanodrug delivery systems have been developed to improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of curcumin, thereby enhancing its therapeutic efficacy. This review summarizes the pharmacological activities and underlying mechanisms of curcumin, encompassing its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, and antibacterial effects. Furthermore, it highlights the significant advancements achieved through the development of curcumin-based nanomedicines. By synthesizing current findings, this review aims to provide insights that may inspire innovative strategies for the future design and broader applications of curcumin nanomedicines.
