World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

CURCUMIN NANOFORMULATION: A NEXT-GENERATION CURCUMIN FOR ENHANCED THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL IN CANCER THERAPY WITH ADVANCED BIOAVAILABILITY

Tirthoraj Dan*, Dr. Kuntal Manna, Dr. Rajat Ghosh and Dr. Dhrubo Jyoti Sen

ABSTRACT

Natural compounds are emerging as therapeutic agents for the treatment of cancerous diseases. The principal compound of turmeric extract, curcumin (diferuloylmethane), has attracted much attention as a plant compound with possible anti-cancer activity. Despite being administered orally in large doses, curcumin is highly nontoxic and physiologically tolerable. Low solubility, physico-chemical stability, rapid systemic clearance, and low cellular uptake restrict its use despite having potent anti-cancer activity. The creation of curcumin nanoparticle formulation to enhance its therapeutic index by improved bioavailability, localization, and cellular uptake is the central focus of this paper. This article also speaks of the limitations and challenges in formulating and delivering nano-sized curcumin particles, as well as whether using nano-formulation is feasible to deliver curcumin. One such method to enhance the delivery of drugs and drug efficacy is nanotechnology. Here, curcumin's cytotoxicity can be minimized by minimizing the dosages required for therapies using its formulating in nanoparticles. These nanoparticles can be used to deliver curcumin to targeted areas locally, preventing systemic clearance. Additionally, enhanced pharmacokinetics and cellular uptake of nano-curcumin may be achieved when using a specific coating.

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