Curcumin and its novel formulations for diabetes mellitus and its complications: a review

Diabetes mellitus (DM), a growing global health crisis, drives demand for safe, effective therapies. Curcumin (CUR), a turmeric-derived polyphenol, shows promise in combating DM and its complications (such as diabetic wound healing (DWH), diabetic atherosclerosis (DA), and diabetic encephalopathy (DE)) via multi-target mechanisms. Despite its efficacy and low toxicity, CUR's clinical application is hindered by poor solubility and bioavailability. Recent advances in novel formulations (such as nanoparticles and liposomes) aim to overcome these limitations. This review summarizes CUR's therapeutic mechanisms, highlights cutting-edge delivery systems developed over 20 years, and identifies key challenges in translation. By bridging preclinical insights with formulation innovations, we provide a roadmap for optimizing CUR-based therapies, accelerating their clinical adoption for DM management.