Curcumin: The Golden Spice In The Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Curcumin, an orange-yellow colored component of turmeric is a diarylheptanoid. It is the principal curcuminoid obtained from the rhizomes of the Curcuma longa plant (Zingiberaceae). It is a polyphenol product obtained from turmeric. It is been used in some medicinal preparation and even as a food-coloring agent. By the in vivo and in vitro studies it is confirmed that curcumin has antiviral, anti-arthritic anticancer, anti-amyloid, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The present article highlights the role of curcumin in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It emphasizes on the oral, transdermal and parenteral routes of drug delivery systems and the emerging trends related to these delivery systems such as solid dispersions, cyclodextrin inclusion compounds, solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, micro nano emulsions, transdermal patches, topical gel and proniosomes etc.