The Dynamic Role of Curcumin in Mitigating Human Illnesses: Recent Advances in Therapeutic Applications

Abstract

Herbal medicine, particularly in developing regions, remains highly popular due to its cost-effectiveness, accessibility, and minimal risk of adverse effects. Curcuma longa L., commonly known as turmeric, exemplifies such herbal remedies with its extensive history of culinary and medicinal applications across Asia for thousands of years. Traditionally utilized as a dye, flavoring, and in cultural rituals, turmeric has also been employed to treat a spectrum of medical conditions, including inflammatory, bacterial, and fungal infections, jaundice, tumors, and ulcers. Building on this longstanding use, contemporary biochemical and clinical research has identified curcumin-the primary active compound in turmeric-as possessing significant therapeutic potential. This review hypothesizes that curcumin's antioxidant properties are pivotal in preventing and treating chronic inflammatory diseases, which are often precursors to more severe conditions, such as cancer, and neurological disorders, like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, while curcumin demonstrates a favorable safety profile, its anticoagulant effects warrant cautious application. This article synthesizes recent studies to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying curcumin's actions and evaluates its therapeutic efficacy in various human illnesses, including cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, osteoarthritis, atherosclerosis, peptic ulcers, COVID-19, psoriasis, vitiligo, and depression. By integrating diverse research findings, this review aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on curcumin's role in modern medicine and its potential as a multifaceted therapeutic agent.

Keywords: anti-inflammatory; antibacterial; anticancer; antifungal; antioxidant; curcumin; turmeric.

Scheme 1

Chemical synthesis of curcumin reported by Pabon [6].

Figure 1

Chemical structure of curcuminoids isolated from turmeric.

Figure 2

Summary overview of the pharmacological activities of curcumin.

Figure 3

Multifaceted mechanism of action of curcumin in human illnesses. Abbreviations: AKT: protein kinase B; COX-2: cyclooxygenase-2; GF: growth factors; GSK 3β: glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta; HO-1: heme oxygenase-1; NQO-1: NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1; IL-1: interleukin-1 family; INF-γ: interferon gamma; iNOS: inducible-nitric oxide synthase; LOX: lipoxygenases; MDSC: myeloid-derived suppressor cells; mTORC1: mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1; NFκB: nuclear factor kappa B; NK cells: natural killer cells; PI3K: phosphoinositide 3-kinase; TRADD: TNFR1-associated death domain protein; TRAF1/2: TNF receptor-associated factor 1 and 2; Tregs: regulatory T cells; TSC1/2: tuberous sclerosis proteins 1 and 2; DAMPs: damage-associated molecular patterns; TLR: Toll-like receptors; IRAK1/4: interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1/4 protein; TRAF6: tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6; TAK1: transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-activated kinase 1; IKK: inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB.

Figure 4

Schematic summary of mechanism of antimicrobial activity of curcumin.