A review on antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activity of curcumin

Biomed Res Int. 2014:2014:186864. doi: 10.1155/2014/186864. Epub 2014 Apr 29.

Abstract

Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae family) and its polyphenolic compound curcumin have been subjected to a variety of antimicrobial investigations due to extensive traditional uses and low side effects. Antimicrobial activities for curcumin and rhizome extract of C. longa against different bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites have been reported. The promising results for antimicrobial activity of curcumin made it a good candidate to enhance the inhibitory effect of existing antimicrobial agents through synergism. Indeed, different investigations have been done to increase the antimicrobial activity of curcumin, including synthesis of different chemical derivatives to increase its water solubility as well ass cell up take of curcumin. This review aims to summarize previous antimicrobial studies of curcumin towards its application in the future studies as a natural antimicrobial agent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Curcumin / analogs & derivatives
  • Curcumin / pharmacology*
  • Humans

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Curcumin