Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound derived from Curcuma longa, exhibits significant therapeutic potential in cancer management. This review explores curcumin’s mechanisms of action, the challenges related to its bioavailability, and its enhancement through modern technology and approaches. Curcumin demonstrates strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to its ability to neutralize free radicals and inhibit inflammatory mediators. Its anticancer effects are mediated by inducing apoptosis, inhibiting cell proliferation, and interfering with tumor growth pathways in various colon, pancreatic, and breast cancers. However, its clinical application is limited by its poor bioavailability due to its rapid metabolism and low absorption. Novel delivery systems, such as curcumin-loaded hydrogels and nanoparticles, have shown promise in improving curcumin bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. Additionally, photodynamic therapy has emerged as a complementary approach, where light exposure enhances curcumin’s anticancer effects by modulating molecular pathways crucial for tumor cell growth and survival. Studies highlight that combining low concentrations of curcumin with visible light irradiation significantly boosts its antitumor efficacy compared to curcumin alone. The interaction of curcumin with cytochromes or drug transporters may play a crucial role in altering the pharmacokinetics of conventional medications, which necessitates careful consideration in clinical settings. Future research should focus on optimizing delivery mechanisms and understanding curcumin’s pharmacokinetics to fully harness its therapeutic potential in cancer treatment.
姜黄素是一种从姜黄中提取的多酚类化合物，在癌症治疗中展现出显著的治疗潜力。本综述探讨了姜黄素的作用机制、其生物利用度相关的挑战，以及通过现代技术和方法对其进行的增强。姜黄素表现出强大的抗氧化和抗炎特性，这有助于其清除自由基和抑制炎症介质的能力。其抗癌作用通过诱导细胞凋亡、抑制细胞增殖以及干扰结肠癌、胰腺癌和乳腺癌等多种肿瘤的生长通路来实现。然而，由于其快速代谢和低吸收率导致的生物利用度差，限制了其临床应用。新型递送系统，如负载姜黄素的水凝胶和纳米颗粒，在提高姜黄素生物利用度和治疗效果方面显示出潜力。此外，光动力疗法作为一种补充方法崭露头角，其中光照通过调节对肿瘤细胞生长和存活至关重要的分子通路来增强姜黄素的抗癌效果。研究强调，与单独使用姜黄素相比，将低浓度姜黄素与可见光照射结合可显著提升其抗肿瘤功效。姜黄素与细胞色素或药物转运蛋白的相互作用可能在改变常规药物的药代动力学方面发挥关键作用，这在临床环境中需要仔细考虑。未来的研究应侧重于优化递送机制和理解姜黄素的药代动力学，以充分发挥其在癌症治疗中的治疗潜力。
The Bright Side of Curcumin: A Narrative Review of Its Therapeutic Potential in Cancer Management
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家