Curcumin Metallocomplexes: Reexploring Therapeutic Potential of Curcumin

The natural product curcumin is a polyphenolic compound extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa L. Curcumin is the principle curcuminoid present in turmeric, responsible for its bright yellow color. Curcumin is a nature’s gift to mankind which has broad range of therapeutic, diagnostic and prophylactic potential. In addition to its use as a spice, flavoring and coloring agent in food, turmeric has been used in India for medicinal values for centuries. In Ayurveda, use of curcumin is well documented for the treatment of various ailments. But the applications of curcumin are curtailed by its low solubility, stability, bioavailability, rapid metabolism and short half life. This weapon can be sharpened and re explored as new age one key answer to many ailments and disorders by using it in the form of liposomal, nanoparticulate, microparticulate drug delivery and also by complexing it with metal ions, polymers, cyclodextrine and other carriers. Curcumin has ability to bind with various transition and earth metal ions to form stable complex. Complexation of curcumin with transition metals is one of the useful ways to overcome the problem related to solubility, stability and bioavailability. From several recent studies, it was observed that curcumin metallocomplexes shows greater therapeutic effects than curcumin alone.