Multifaceted roles of curcumin: two sides of a coin!

Introduction: Curcumin has been a front-line topic of mainstream scientific research for a variety of diseases from cancer to Alzheimer's to infectious diseases. Curcumin suppresses the type 1 immune response, which might lead to alleviation of type 1 immune response disorders. However, the inhibition of type 1 immune response might invite infections with opportunistic pathogens. Considering its low bioavailability, several curcumin derivatives have been designed to improve its functionality.

Areas Covered: This is a consolidated review which aims to compare and contrast diverse aspects of curcumin in variety of diseases. The intricate underlying mechanisms and the functional determinants of curcumin are discussed.

Expert Opinion: Curcumin being considered as a spicy panacea, is not a remedy for all diseases. However, its ability to act differentially as an anti-oxidant or pro-oxidant akin to that of a double-edged sword/friend turning foe can be either beneficial or harmful for the host. It exhibits anti-oxidant properties at concentrations achievable in the body, making the host vulnerable to infections due to the suppression of innate immune responses. With the increase in knowledge of its functional groups, production of analogues of curcumin is underway to enhance its bioavailability and hence its therapeutic potency.