An Updated Review of Curcumin in Health Applications: In-vivo Studies and Clinical Trials

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) are known to contain curcumin, a lipophilic polyphenol from the curcuminoid group. Curcumin has been used for generations in traditional medicine, due to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cardio-protective, antimicrobial, nephroprotective, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic, anti-rheumatic, anti-cancer, and anti-fibrotic properties. Therefore, this study aimed to determine pharmacological activity potential of curcumin using selected test parameters. Several journals were collected from PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct for this review, limiting the time frame to the last 8 years. The findings are then presented in the form of figures and tables, followed by a full discussion based on the appropriate reference. The results showed that curcumin had antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. These effects contributed to various mechanisms of action in numerous diseases, including cardiovascular, anti-cancer, arthritis, brain injury, Alzheimer's, digestive disorders, anti-aging, and hepatoprotection. Several external factors that influenced test results included curcumin dosage, duration of administration, and pain- or disease-inducing ingredients. In long-term therapy with certain drugs, the administration of curcumin could be considered at the right dose to avoid dangerous side effects.