Polymeric nanomicelles of curcumin: Potential applications in cancer

Natural compounds, primarily derived from plants, have been isolated and evaluated as alternative and complementary treatments for cancer. Curcumin has been proven to be beneficial in cancer therapy due to its multiple effects on cell signaling pathways, although the application of curcumin is limited due to its low oral bioavailability. Nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems have been used to overcome limited bioavailability and ensure greater biodistribution after administration. Nano-formulations of curcumin have shown more significant anticancer activity than free curcumin. Among the various nanocarriers, polymeric micelles with inherent stability and ease of formulation are ideal for tumor targeting via the enhanced permeation and retention (EPR) effect. The structure of polymeric micelles is suitable for the encapsulation of hydrophobic or low water-soluble drugs. Additionally, the outer shell of polymeric micelles provides protection against the normal uptake of foreign compounds by the reticuloendothelial system (RES). This review discusses the recent developments in curcumin delivery using polymeric micelles for various cancers.