Curcumin

7709 studies identified, 62 included after deduplication and assessment. Most studies were blinded with sample sizes ranging from 15 to 270 patients. 70 different plants from 44 families were identified. Risk of bias assessment showed 27 studies with concerns, 22 with low risk, and 13 with high risk. 62 papers identified 17 orofacial pain conditions categorized into six groups. Meta-analyses found herbal extracts more effective in reducing periodontal, oral surgery, oral neuropathic, endodontic, oral mucosal, and TMD pain compared to standard therapies.

3D structures of receptor proteins (CAT, IL-1B, IL-6, SOD, TNF-α) were retrieved from AlphaFold and Swiss-model, validated using Ramachandran plots and ERRAT, and analyzed for identity and coverage. Ascorbic acid and curcumin structures were retrieved from PubChem, and AI ligands were generated and characterized. Virtual screening showed highest binding affinities for ascorbic acid AI ligands with CAT (-7.1 kJ/mol) and curcumin AI ligands with IL-1β (-7.3 kJ/mol). Molecular dynamics simulations, MMGBSA, and MMPBSA analyses confirmed stable interactions. ADMET properties indicated favorable drug-likeness for both ascorbic acid and curcumin AI ligands.

Two randomized trials presented at the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting found no significant benefits of colchicine or a cocktail of herbal supplements over placebo for treating knee and hand osteoarthritis, respectively. Both studies highlighted similar degrees of improvement in pain and functional capabilities between active treatment and placebo groups, with placebo showing slight numerical advantages. No major safety issues were reported, though some patients experienced gastrointestinal symptoms.

Ezetimibe, repurposed as a cancer drug, binds to MDM2, inhibiting p53 degradation. Curcumin enhances ezetimibe bioavailability, synergizing anticancer effects, particularly in colorectal cancer models. This combination, named Ezecurmin, shows potent cytotoxicity in wild-type p53 cells and reduces tumor size in mice, demonstrating clinical potential for colorectal cancer treatment.

Study investigates phytosomal formulations to enhance herbal medicine efficacy, focusing on cancer treatment. Optimized formulations show improved drug entrapment, controlled release, and enhanced cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells. Phytosomes facilitate drug delivery, prolong exposure, and induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, suggesting potential as targeted cancer therapeutics.

Micro-Tracers' SECURtracers, ethyl cellulose-based particles for drug authentication, await FDA approval as a new excipient. The technology, already ISO 9001:2015 and EXCIPACT accredited, has potential applications beyond pharmaceuticals, including animal feeds. Research collaborations and in vivo studies are ongoing to validate safety and efficacy. Micro-Tracers seeks partnerships with pharmaceutical manufacturers for large-scale trials, offering incentives to be the first to adopt SECURtracers, aiming to combat counterfeit drugs and enhance pharmaceutical security.