Curcumin
Curcumin is an isolated compound rather than a whole plant drug. ENHANCEMENT STRATEGIES (a major area of pharmaceutical R&D): Piperine co-administration: 20x increase. Phytosome (Meriva): 29x increase. Nanoparticle (Theracurmin): 27x increase. Micellar formulation (NovaSOL): 185x increase.
| Substance type | Isolated compound or extract, not a whole plant drug |
|---|
The evidence at a glance
12papers on this site for this drug, published 2007 to 2023, every one with a DOI.
- 11Other clinical studies and reviews
- 1Laboratory and animal studies
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Everything listed here is laboratory or animal work, which does not show an effect in people. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Curcumin |
What is it made of?
Curcuminoids (Diarylheptanoids)
- Curcumin (diferuloylmethane, 75-80%)
- Demethoxycurcumin (15-20%)
- Bisdemethoxycurcumin (3-5%)
- Cyclocurcumin (trace)
Metabolites
- Tetrahydrocurcumin
- Hexahydrocurcumin
- Curcumin glucuronide
- Curcumin sulfate
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (turmeric powder), Capsule (standardized extract), Tablet, Soft gel, Liposomal liquid, Nanoemulsion, Phytosome complex, Topical cream/gel, Golden milk (Haldi Doodh)
Standard Dosage: Turmeric powder: 3-6g daily; Standardized curcumin extract: 500-1500mg daily; Phytosome form: 200-500mg; Nano/liposomal: 100-250mg (enhanced absorption); with 5-10mg piperine as bioenhancer
Optimal Timing: With meals containing fat for maximum absorption; with piperine source (black pepper); divided doses (2-3x daily) preferred over single large dose; with warm milk (traditional Haldi Doodh) for lipid-based delivery
Storage: Protect from light (photodegradation is the primary stability concern). Amber containers or opaque packaging mandatory. Cool, dry conditions below 25°C. Avoid alkaline contact during storage. Nitrogen-flush capsule bottles to prevent oxidation.
Marker Compounds: Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), Demethoxycurcumin, Bisdemethoxycurcumin, Ar-turmerone, Alpha-turmerone, Beta-turmerone, Curcumol, Cyclocurcumin
Synergistic Combinations
- With Piperine (Black Pepper), the definitive bioavailability synergy (2000% enhancement)
- With Boswellia for anti-inflammatory synergy (joint health)
- With Ashwagandha for stress and inflammation
- With Quercetin for enhanced anti-inflammatory action
- With Ginger (Shunthi) for digestive and anti-inflammatory synergy
- With Omega-3 fatty acids for neuroinflammation
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Other clinical studies and reviews11
- 2007. Bioavailability of curcumin: problems and promisesMolecular pharmaceutics. PMID 17999464 · doi:10.1021/mp700113r
- 2018. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and its major constituent (curcumin) as nontoxic and safe substances: ReviewPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 29480523 · doi:10.1002/ptr.6054
- 2014. CurcuminProfiles of drug substances, excipients, and related methodology. PMID 24794906 · doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-800173-8.00003-9
- 2022. A Comprehensive Review on the Benefits and Problems of Curcumin with Respect to Human HealthMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 35889273 · doi:10.3390/molecules27144400
- 2019. Curcumin, Gut Microbiota, and NeuroprotectionNutrients. PMID 31614630 · doi:10.3390/nu11102426
- 2023. Recent updates in curcumin deliveryJournal of liposome research. PMID 35699160 · doi:10.1080/08982104.2022.2086567
- 2020. Curcumin and curcumin-loaded nanoparticles: antipathogenic and antiparasitic activitiesExpert review of anti-infective therapy. PMID 32067524 · doi:10.1080/14787210.2020.1730815
- 2014. Curcumin and curcumin-like molecules: from spice to drugsCurrent medicinal chemistry. PMID 23590716 · doi:10.2174/092986732102131206115810
- 2007. Cardioprotective effects of curcuminAdvances in experimental medicine and biology. PMID 17569220 · doi:10.1007/978-0-387-46401-5_16
- 2019. Therapeutic use of curcumin-encapsulated and curcumin-primed exosomesJournal of cellular physiology. PMID 30317632 · doi:10.1002/jcp.27615
- 2017. The functional genomic studies of curcuminSeminars in cancer biology. PMID 28392463 · doi:10.1016/j.semcancer.2017.04.002
Laboratory and animal studies1
- 2018. Curcumin reduces Ly6C(hi) monocyte infiltration to protect against liver fibrosis by inhibiting Kupffer cells activation to reduce chemokines secretionBiomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. PMID 30119257 · doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2018.07.028
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
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