Engineered Polymeric Polymersomes for Curcumin Delivery: Enhancing Bioavailability and Targeted Therapeutic Performance

ABSTRACT Curcumin, a multifunctional polyphenolic compound derived from Curcuma longa , demonstrates wide‐ranging therapeutic promise in oncology, inflammatory conditions, metabolic disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. Its clinical application, however, is restricted by low water solubility, accelerated metabolic degradation, and inadequate oral absorption. Polymersomes, self‐assembled vesicular nanocarriers, allow concurrent loading of hydrophilic and hydrophobic therapeutics, extended circulation time, and stimulus‐responsive release under physiological or external triggers. Recent progress positions curcumin‐encapsulated polymersomes as versatile platforms engineered for targeted delivery, co‐delivery of multiple agents, and theranostic applications. Preclinical investigations show increased anticancer activity, augmented neuroprotective effects, and cooperative therapeutic benefits, while surface modification with targeting ligands broadens their relevance in precision therapeutics. Nevertheless, obstacles persist in scalable production, long‐term biocompatibility, and regulatory clearance. This review summarizes recent developments in the design, fabrication, and biomedical applications of curcumin‐loaded polymersomes, providing a critical appraisal of their translational prospects and anticipated role as next‐generation nanomedicines.