The pharmacological basis of the curcumin nutraceutical uses : an update

Curcumin is the major phytoconstituent found in the rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. Preparations derived from the rhizome of the plant, referred as turmeric, have been used for centuries in the traditional Indian system of medicine. The recent literature has shown curcumin as one of the most interesting pleiotropic nutraceuticals capable of interacting with different molecular targets involved in chronic diseases. The present review summarizes and critically discusses the very recent literature published between 2018 and 2021. We focused on the preclinical pharmacological actions of curcumin in relation to its possible clinical application in several pathophysiological states and disturbances including inflammation and pain, as well as metabolic, cardiovascular, dermatological, and central nervous system diseases. The most relevant molecular targets of curcumin, such as transcription factors, pro-in ammatory mediators, enzymes, and protein kinase as well as pharmacokinetics in humans are also reviewed.