title: Transformation of curcumin from food additive to multifunctional medicine: nanotechnology bridging the gap.
abstract: Curcumin (CUR) is a yellow-coloured polyphenolic compound obtained from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa. In-depth pharmacological screening of curcumin has given the evidence that CUR persuades shielding and curative effects against various cancers, cardiovascular, wound healing effect and neuro disorders etc owning to anti-oxidant, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and antimicrobial activities. However, miserable bioavailability due to poor aqueous solubility limits the application of CUR in various ailments. Different methodologies including the nanoparticle technology have been reported for the bioavailability enhancement of CUR. Nanoparticles exhibit not only the improvement in the solubility of CUR and alike lipophilic molecules (resulted in improved bioavailability) but also giving the opportunity for the disease specific cellular and organ targeting. Improved bioavailability and disease based site specific delivery of CUR is more likely to bring it as a safe multifunctional medicine.
authors.forename: Mohammad Zaki
authors.initials: MZ
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Shabib
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Akhter
authors.forename: Nehal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mohsin
authors.forename: Basel A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Abdel-Wahab
authors.forename: Javed
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Musarrat Husain
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Warsi
authors.forename: Mahfoozur
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Neha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mallick
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia. zaki.manipal@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Farhan Jalees
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Ahmad
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003474:Curcumin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D005503:Food Additives / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000639:trends*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D005503:Food Additives; D003474:Curcumin