Abstract

Curcumin, a polyphenol (diferuloylmethane), is a derivative obtained from the Curcuma longa. It has many beneficial functions, including pain-killing, activity against reactive oxygen species, preventing inflammation and antibacterial activities, for which it has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medication. The mechanisms showing curcumin activity involve a grouping of signaling pathways in the cell at multiple stages. Recently, the anticancer effects of curcumin were studied on different pathways, including the gene expression for cancer, its spread, the regulation of cell cycle, programmed cell death, and tumor expression. All these studies suggest enormous potential of curcumin in cancer therapy. It has many more potential benefits against cardiovascular diseases, reactive oxygen species, bacteria and fungi. The present review provides a brief description of the studies conducted and the information supportive to pharmaceutical activities of curcumin. It also considers anticancer applications and clinical benefits of nano-formulations of curcumin.

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