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Anuj Yadav,
Anupam Singh,
Soni Paswan,
- Assistant Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Bansal Institute of Engineering and Technology, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Student, Department of Biotechnology, Bansal Institute of Engineering & Technology, Lucknow, UP 226201, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Student, Department of Biotechnology, Bansal Institute of Engineering & Technology, Lucknow, UP 226201, Uttar Pradesh, India
Abstract
Curcumin, one of the main polyphenols found in Curcuma longa, has drawn substantial interest in cancer research because it can influence several molecular processes involved in tumor development and progression. Growing preclinical evidence suggests that it acts on key signaling pathways, including nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR), and mitogen- activated protein kinase (MAPK). These effects have been linked to changes in cancer-cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell-cycle progression, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Curcumin has also been reported to affect mediators such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), cyclins, and proteins involved in apoptosis. Another important mechanism may involve its regulation of cancer-associated microRNAs (miRNAs), which could help explain how curcumin may affect post- transcriptional gene regulation and tumor progression. Its therapeutic development, however, is hindered by poor water solubility, limited systemic availability, rapid metabolism, and fast elimination. To address these problems, researchers have explored molecular biotechnology- based delivery approaches, including nanoparticles, liposomes, polymers, and other nanoformulated systems designed to improve curcumin’s stability, bioavailability, and delivery to tumors. This review examines the molecular signaling pathways, gene and protein regulatory processes, miRNA-related effects, and delivery methods linked to curcumin in cancer research. It also focuses on preclinical findings and the practical challenges of moving them into clinical use. Curcumin shows promising activity against multiple molecular targets, but honestly, more carefully designed clinical studies are still needed to determine its effectiveness, best formulation, appropriate dosage, and potential role of an adjunct to the treatment of conventional cancer .
Keywords: Curcumin; molecular biotechnology; cancer signalling; NF-κB; PI3K/Akt/mTOR; apoptosis; angiogenesis; microRNA; nanocarrier; targeted drug delivery; bioavailability
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International Journal of Molecular Biotechnological Research
| Volume | 04 | |
| 02 | ||
| Received | 10/09/2026 | |
| Accepted | 05/10/2026 | |
| Published | 15/10/2026 | |
| Publication Time | 35 Days |