Curcumin’s Potential as A Drug Delivery Method and Anticancer Treatment

Abstract

This abstract explores the potential of curcuma as both a drug delivery method and an anticancer treatment. Curcuma, a natural compound derived from turmeric, has gained attention for its bioactive properties. As a drug delivery method, curcuma’s lipophilic nature allows it to encapsulate various therapeutic agents, enhancing their solubility and bioavailability. Moreover, curcuma’s inherent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics contribute to its potential as an effective anticancer treatment. This abstract reviews recent research on curcuma-based drug delivery systems and its mechanisms of action against cancer cells, highlighting its promising role in advancing drug delivery strategies and cancer therapies. Certainly, in recent years, researchers have focused on harnessing the unique properties of curcuma for drug delivery purposes. Its ability to form stable complexes with hydrophobic drugs, along with its biocompatibility, makes it an attractive candidate for improving the delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs. By encapsulating these drugs within curcuma-based nanoparticles or micelles, researchers aim to enhance drug stability and release kinetics, ultimately leading to more effective treatments with reduced side effects. Additionally, curcuma’s potential as an anticancer treatment has been extensively investigated. Its active compound, curcumin, exhibits multifaceted effects on various cancer cell types. Curcumin has been shown to modulate signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Moreover, curcumin’s ability to target tumor cells while sparing normal cells makes it a promising candidate for combination therapies that enhance the effectiveness of traditional chemotherapy agents.Clinical studies have explored curcuma’s role in reducing cancer growth, metastasis, and even improving patients’ response to chemotherapy. However, challenges such as low bioavailability and rapid metabolism of curcumin have prompted innovative approaches, including nanoparticle formulations and co-administration with absorption-enhancing agents .In conclusion, the combined potential of curcuma as a drug delivery method and an anticancer treatment opens up exciting possibilities for the future of pharmaceutical research. By addressing its limitations and further exploring its mechanisms of action, curcuma-based therapies could revolutionize drug delivery strategies and contribute to more targeted and effective cancer treatments.