Curcumin therapeutic potential in gastric cancer prevention, treatment and metastasis suppression

Gastric cancer (GC) remains a significant global health burden, characterized by high mortality rates, often due to late-stage diagnosis, resistance to conventional therapies, and metastatic dissemination. This narrative review synthesizes current preclinical and early clinical evidence on the diverse roles of curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound derived from Curcuma longa (turmeric), in the context of gastric cancer. A comprehensive search of databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, was conducted, and approximately 140 studies were critically appraised to identify mechanistic insights and translational barriers. In this context, curcumin’s potential in preventing GC is explored, specifically regarding its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, modulation of precancerous lesions, and anti-Helicobacter pylori activity. Furthermore, the review details curcumin’s mechanisms in treating established GC, including its ability to inhibit cancer cell proliferation, induce apoptosis (via pathways like PI3K/Akt/mTOR, NF-κB, STAT3), and exert anti-angiogenic effects. Crucially, its capacity to inhibit GC metastasis by reversing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), suppressing matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and modulating key signaling pathways involved in invasion and migration is highlighted. Additionally, curcumin’s role in overcoming chemoresistance is discussed. Despite its promising pleiotropic actions, the clinical translation of curcumin is significantly challenged by its poor bioavailability. Moreover, various strategies to enhance systemic absorption are addressed, emphasizing the critical need for well-designed clinical trials to validate its efficacy and safety in human GC patients. This review underscores curcumin’s potential as a valuable complementary or integrative therapeutic agent in gastric cancer management.