The Double Sides of Curcumin and its Therapeutic Prospects

Abstract

Plants have been used for centuries as a treatment for various medical conditions, with over 80% of the population relying on them for healthcare. Curcumin, an aromatic spice from Curcuma longa L., is a significant contributor to this list. Curcumin is non-toxic and has numerous benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antioxidant, and analgesic properties. It contains a high number of antioxidants, which can help treat various ailments, including digestion, smallpox, skin cancer, wound healing, body weight, neurological illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, erectile dysfunction, malaria, chicken pox, urinary tract infections, conjunctivitis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic anterior uveitis, and liver ailments. Curcumin is also used to enhance overall energy, eliminate worms, regulate menstruation, and address digestive disorders. Curcumin is a versatile pharmacological compound with potent curative and regulated chemo-biological properties, making it effective in addressing various human health conditions. However, it can also have toxic effects. Due to its poor bioavailability, it has slow absorption, fast metabolism, and obligatory elimination. To enhance curcumin bioavailability, drugs that inhibit the curcumin metabolic pathway have been used. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the diverse medicinal benefits of curcumin along with its toxic effects.