European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

A QUICK OVERVIEW OF CURCUMIN, AN HERBAL MEDICINE, IS USED IN CHEMOTHERAPY IN CARCINOMA

Sneha N. Wankhede*, Dr. Jagdish R. Baheti, Dr. Mangesh D. Godbole, Minakshi S.Warghane

ABSTRACT

Cancer is the second leading cause of death and a major public health problem. Cancer mortality remains high. Curcumin is a naturally occurring phytochemical obtained from the dried roots and rhizomes of turmeric (Curcuma longa). Shown to interfere with cell signalling pathways. Apoptosis, proliferation, angiogenesis and inflammation Most of the analogues showed excellent antitumor activity in many cell lines. Curcumin deficiency is due to low solubility, poor absorption, rapid metabolism, and elimination. Recent research has shown that several compounds and techniques to increase the bioavailability of curcumin mixed with excipients, encapsulated in a carrier, and nano formed with different bioactive. Structural analogues of curcumin, have increased efficacy and bioavailability. In this review, comprehensive literature on the anti-tumor activity of curcumin through combination therapy, structural modification, synthesis analogues and novel delivery systems is presented. Many challenges relate to curcumin as an adjuvant chemotherapeutic agent and emphasize further clinical studies.

Keywords: Curcumin, Nano-curcumin, Herbal drug, Bioavailability, Anticancer agents, Cellular pathway.