Curcumin in Inflammatory Complications: Therapeutic Applications and Clinical Evidence

Abstract

Curcumin is a diarylheptanoid polyphenol compound derived from the plant species Curcuma longa. For thousands of years, it has been used as a dietary supplement, food coloring agent, and natural antibiotic in many Asian countries. Recent studies have also investigated its potential therapeutic role in a variety of inflammatory diseases, including osteoarthritis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, atherosclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome, sepsis, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis. Although individual studies have reported beneficial effects, a comprehensive discussion on findings across these conditions has been lacking. This review systematically evaluates the therapeutic potential of curcumin in inflammatory diseases. Literature was sourced through a PubMed search using relevant terms such as curcumin, treatment, and the names of each targeted disease over the past two decades. We discussed the key findings on how curcumin administration was associated with improvements in disease markers, symptom relief, or progression delay. Despite promising research outcomes, the current evidence underscores the need for more robust, large-scale studies to confirm these effects and guide the clinical applications of curcumin in managing inflammatory disorders.