Curcumin: a potent anti-inflammatory agent for the management of chronic inflammatory diseases

Abstract

Chronic inflammation plays a critical role in the progression of several debilitating conditions, including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and autoimmune diseases. As a result, targeting inflammation has become a key therapeutic approach for managing these diseases. Curcumin, a bioactive compound derived from turmeric (Curcuma longa), has garnered significant interest due to its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.Curcumin exerts its effects by modulating various molecular pathways involved in inflammation, including the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and transcription factors such as NF-?B. Its ability to inhibit oxidative stress further enhances its therapeutic potential. Preclinical and clinical studies have shown promising results in the use of curcumin for managing inflammatory conditions like arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and metabolic syndrome.Despite its potential, curcumin’s clinical applicability is limited by its low bioavailability, which has led to the development of novel delivery systems such as nanoparticles, liposomes, and curcumin analogs to enhance absorption and efficacy.This review aims to summarize the current evidence on curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties and its medical applications, highlighting its role as a natural and safe therapeutic agent for combating chronic inflammatory diseases. Future research is warranted to further optimize its clinical efficacy and formulations.