Overcoming Curcumin's Limitations: Synthetic Derivatives in Diabetes and Cancer Management

The document reviews the development of synthetic curcumin derivatives to address the limitations of natural curcumin in managing diabetes and cancer, focusing on improving bioavailability and stability. These derivatives have shown promise in both in vitro and in vivo studies, demonstrating significant antidiabetic and anticancer effects through structural modifications that enhance biological activity. For diabetes, derivatives have improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, with some achieving up to 93.35% reduction in glucose levels. In cancer management, compounds like Compound 24 and water-soluble derivatives have effectively inhibited cancer cell growth with low toxicity. Despite these advancements, challenges such as poor bioavailability and lack of in vivo validation remain, preventing clinical translation. Future research should focus on overcoming these barriers through comprehensive pharmacokinetic studies and exploring synergistic effects with existing therapies.