Herbal approach for treatment of cancer using curcumin as an anticancer agent: A review on novel drug delivery systems

The polyphenol compound curcumin originates from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa Linn. The anti-cancer effects of curcumin and its analogues are described in extensive detail and play a significant role in treating multiple cancers. Curcumin has drawbacks such as insufficient ingestion and limited aqueous solubility. Researchers have tried to increase its solubility, absorption, and bioavailability to overcome these challenges. Nanotechnology is vital for making nanocarriers, nanomedicines, and targeted delivery. Some of the significant drawbacks of curcumin-based drug administration have been significantly reduced by curcumin nano formulation. Nanocurcumin was combined with a selective chemical to boost curcumin's action at the targeted site or molecular level. A detailed description of solubility and bioavailability enhancement techniques using nanoparticles, dendrimers, liposomes, exosomes, phytosomes, micelles, microspheres/ microbubbles carrier drug delivery systems are provided in this review. This review examines the nano-based materials and their applications to address curcumin's efficacy, solubility, bioavailability, and therapeutic activity.