Curcumin - Bioavailability Enhancement by Prodrug Approach and Novel Formulations.

Curcumin, is a diverse natural pharmacological agent involved in various signal transduction mechanisms. Therapeutically, this potent molecule facing different challenges and issues related to low bioavailability due to its poor aqueous solubility, less permeability, faster elimination and clearance. Experts in synthetic chemistry and pharmaceuticals are continuously sparing their efforts to overcome these pharmacokinetic challenges by using different structural modification strategies and developing novel drug delivery systems. In this mini-review article, we are focusing on different possible routes like conjugation with biomolecules, natural polymers, synthetic polymers, natural products, metal conjugates and co-administration with natural metabolic inhibitors and preparation of modified formulations such as micelles, microemulsions, liposomes, complexes with phospholipids, micro and nanoemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles, nano lipid carriers, biopolymer nanoparticles and microgels to improve the pharmacokinetic properties of the curcumin without altering its pharmacodynamics activity. Hope this review helps to understand the problems associated with curcumin and different strategies to improve the pharmacokinetic profile of the curcumin.