Abstract
BACKGROUND Curcumin, a naturally occurring polyphenol, possesses pleiotropic pharmacologic properties, including anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. Epidemiological evidence suggests that curcumin intake is associated with a reduced risk of Colorectal Cancer (CRC), highlighting the enormous potential of this botanical agent in the prevention and treatment of CRC. OBJECTIVE We summarize the anticancer activity of curcumin and its derivatives in CRC. METHODS We conducted a literature review on the therapeutic effects of curcumin and its derivatives in CRC. RESULTS In this review, a summary of the activities of curcumin in the treatment of CRC regarding its bioavailability, anticancer activity, modes of action, curcumin delivery systems have been provided based on the researches from preclinical experiments. Also, we discuss the therapeutic effects of curcumin derivatives in CRC. The human clinical trials that used curcumin or curcumin derivatives for the treatment of CRC are also highlighted here. CONCLUSION Curcumin possesses great potential as a chemopreventive agent in CRC. Moreover, emerging evidence reveals that it can be an effective adjuvant to CRC therapy. To date, few studies have explored the anticolon cancer activity of curcumin formulation and curcumin derivatives in vivo; therefore, more works are needed to confirm their effectiveness. In clinical trials, curcumin treatment protocols (formulation, dose, and duration) vary among studies. However, these trials consistently point out that the compound is well-tolerated and safe, albeit with little consensus on its therapeutic efficacy.
