Anticancer Drug Delivery Systems Based on Curcumin Nanostructures: A Review

Abstract

In recent years, the application of nanostructures in biomedical and pharmaceutical fields has increased. The special designs and compositions make nanocomposites very useful alternatives to conventional materials. Curcumin is a promising anti-cancer agent that has a positive and significant effect on chemotherapeutic achievements. The anticancer properties of curcumin have been widely investigated in different forms such as nanoparticles and nanocomposite structures. Chitosan-based nanocomposites, magnetic nanoparticles, polymer nanocomposites and blends, and montmorillonite- and alginate-based nanocomposites have been used in loading curcumin for various purposes. The anticancer preparations of curcumin nanoparticles and drug release systems employing curcumin-loaded nanoparticles, electrospun nanofibers, and hydrogel nanocomposites have been investigated. This review provides a summary of the applications of nanostructures containing curcumin, especially in controlled drug release systems. The curcumin nanoparticles and nanocomposites are suitable candidates for anticancer applications. On the nano-scale, curcumin has better aqueous solubility and, if used in a nanocomposite, there is a good ability for manipulating the drug delivery system properties.