Novel curcumin oral delivery systems

Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound derived from turmeric (Curcuma longa L), has proven to be a modulator of multiple intercellular signalling pathways linked to inflammation, to proliferation, growth, invasion, drug sensitivity, angiogenesis and metastasis of cancer cells. Although curcumin has shown significant efficacy in cell culture studies, it has shown limited efficacy in clinical studies when administered in conventional oral formulations. This discrepancy is largely attributed to its poor oral bioavailability, which may result from its poor solubility, its poor pharmacokinetic profile, or a combination of both. To circumvent these barriers, alternative drug delivery strategies and systems should be explored. In this article, after a brief review of the physicochemical properties and pharmacokinetic profiles of curcumin, recent advances in curcumin oral delivery systems are discussed.