Curcumin: Pharmaceutical, Nutraceutical, and Analytical Aspects

Authors: KOTHA, RAGHAVENDHAR - University Of Maryland; Luthria, Devanand - Dave

Submitted to: Molecules
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/2/2019
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24162930

Interpretive Summary: The use of dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, and functional foods has gained significant popularity globally over the past few decades due to increased interest in natural products and their potential health benefits. Turmeric has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine for various medical purposes such as wound healing, respiratory problems, blood purification, liver and dermatological disorders. Curcumin (CUR), demethoxycurcumin (DMC), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BMC) are bioactive polyphenolic compounds identified in turmeric. Curcumin has attracted a lot of attention in recent years due to its therapeutic potential as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and anti-aging agent, which is supported by several in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials. This review presents current research updates in the areas of curcumin formulations, clinical outcomes, sample preparation, and various methodologies used for the analysis of curcuminoids in different matrices.

Technical Abstract: Turmeric is a curry spice originated from India, which has attracted great interest in recent decades because it contains bioactive curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin). Curcumin (1,7-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione), a lipophilic polyphenol may work as anticancer, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging agent as suggested by several in vitro, in vivo studies and clinical trials. However, poor aqueous solubility, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetic profiles limits curcumin’s therapeutic usage. Several curcumin formulations have been developed to address these issues. However, sub-optimized sample preparation and analysis methodologies often hampers the accurate evaluation of bioassays and clinical trials efficacy. This review summarizes recent research on biological, pharmaceutical, and analytical aspects of the curcumin. An updated discussion has been carried out on various formulation techniques and corresponding clinical trials and in vivo outcomes. A detailed comparison of different sample preparation (ultrasonic, pressurized liquid extraction, microwave, reflux) and analytical (IR, NIR, Raman, UV, HPTLC, HPLC, and LC-MS/MS) methodologies used for the extraction and quantification of curcuminoids in different matrices has been presented.