Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems for curcumin and its derivatives in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases

• Curcumin’s innate free radicals scavenging potential is enhanced by nanotechnology. • Nanotech-delivered curcumin reduces inflammation, promoting heart and joint health. • Curcumin nano-formulations lower cholesterol and prevents atherosclerosis more effectively. • Nano-curcumin helps manage blood sugar levels and diabetic complication. Curcumin reveals potential in treating an array of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including lowering cholesterol and preventing the advancement of atherosclerosis. Heart failure, aortic aneurysm, cardiac ischemia, stroke, myocardial infarction, diabetic cardiovascular issues, drug-induced cardiotoxicity, cardiac hypertrophy, and reperfusion injury are among the disorders, it offers cardioprotective benefits. Nonetheless, curcumin’s clinical application is constrained by its limited bioavailability, which reduces its effectiveness when administered orally. To overcome this limitation, nanoformulations of curcumin and its derivatives have been developed to enhance their delivery and absorption. This review provides details about mechanisms and targets of curcumin in CVDs and also critically analyzes current literature on nanotechnology-based delivery systems for curcumin in the treatment of CVDs, emphasizing formulation properties, experimental evidence, and bioactivity, as well as the challenges and opportunities involved in advancing these innovative therapeutic approaches.