Curcumin as theranostics: imaging-guided therapeutics in oncology and neurodegenerative diseases

Curcumin, a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound isolated from Curcuma longa, has been extensively studied for its nutritional, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties. While traditionally recognized as a dietary bioactive with therapeutic relevance, recent advances in nanotechnology, molecular imaging, and targeted drug delivery have positioned curcumin as a promising theranostics agent. Theranostics integrates diagnostic imaging and therapy within a single platform, enabling real-time visualization of disease processes alongside targeted intervention. This review critically examines the emerging role of curcumin in imaging-guided therapeutics, with particular emphasis on oncology and neurodegenerative disorders. Curcumin's intrinsic fluorescence, affinity for pathological proteins, and modulatory effects on key molecular pathways underpin its potential as both an imaging probe and a therapeutic molecule. Key challenges related to poor aqueous solubility, rapid metabolism, and limited bioavailability are discussed, along with innovative delivery strategies such as nanoparticles, liposomes, radiolabelled conjugates, and stimulus-responsive systems designed to enhance clinical applicability. By bridging its established nutritional significance with advanced theranostics applications, curcumin exemplifies the translational potential of plant-derived bioactive in precision medicine. This review highlights current progress, limitations, and future perspectives, positioning curcumin as a model phytoconstituent for the development of integrated diagnostic and therapeutic platforms in complex chronic diseases.