Lipid-Based Nanocarriers for Curcumin Delivery: A Promising Strategy in The Management of Inflammatory Diseases

Inflammation is a key pathophysiological process underlying a broad spectrum of chronic disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and metabolic syndrome, and is closely linked to oxidative stress, immune dysregulation, and sustained production of pro-inflammatory mediators. Curcumin, a bioactive polyphenol derived from Curcuma longa, has been extensively studied because of its pleiotropic anti-inflammatory mechanisms, however, its therapeutic translation is substantially limited by poor aqueous solubility, chemical instability, rapid metabolism, and low systemic bioavailability. In this context, lipid-based nanocarriers, notably liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, phytosomes, ethosomes, niosomes, nanoemulsions, self-nano-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS), transfersomes, lipid nanocapsules, lipid micelles, spanlastic, and cubesomes, have emerged as promising formulation strategies to improve curcumin delivery. These platforms can enhance the solubility, stability, absorption, and pharmacokinetic performance of curcumin and, in selected cases, facilitate more efficient accumulation at inflamed sites. This review critically appraises recent advances in lipid-based nanocarrier systems for curcumin delivery in inflammatory diseases and addresses the principal formulation, translational, and clinical challenges that remain to be resolved.