# From bench to bedside: unlocking the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer promise of curcumin in gynecology

## TL;DR

This review explores curcumin's potential as a treatment for gynecological cancers and conditions, highlighting its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties.

## Contribution

The paper synthesizes current evidence and molecular mechanisms of curcumin in gynecology, emphasizing its therapeutic promise and challenges.

## Key findings

- Curcumin modulates inflammatory pathways and reduces oxidative stress in gynecologic disorders.
- Improved curcumin formulations show better pharmacokinetic profiles and therapeutic outcomes.
- More clinical trials are needed to optimize curcumin's use in gynecologic care.

## Abstract

Curcumin, a bioactive polyphenol derived from turmeric (Curcuma longa), has garnered substantial attention for its potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antineoplastic properties. This review explores the therapeutic potential of curcumin in gynecologic health, with a focus on its role in the management of ovarian, cervical, and endometrial cancers, as well as benign conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, premenstrual syndrome, and menopausal symptoms. A literature review was conducted on the health effects of gynecology. Relevant articles were identified through systematic searches in major biomedical databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science databases for studies reporting the relationship between curcumin and some in gynecological diseasess as of 2025. Curcumin modulates key inflammatory signaling pathways, reduces oxidative stress, and exerts antiproliferative effects, making it a promising adjunct in the treatment of both neoplastic and inflammatory gynecologic disorders. Nevertheless, clinical translation remains limited by challenges such as poor bioavailability and a paucity of large-scale, randomized controlled trials. Emerging evidence supports the integration of curcumin into multimodal treatment strategies, particularly in oncology and chronic inflammatory conditions. In light of the need to improve treatment efficacy and enhance patients’ quality of life, the exploration of novel adjuvant therapeutic strategies is highly warranted. Recent studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of curcumin and its novel analogues across a range of gynecologic diseases, while advances in formulation technologies have led to improved pharmacokinetic profiles and therapeutic outcomes. Nevertheless, further robust clinical investigations are required to optimize curcumin formulations, enhance bioavailability, and establish evidence-based guidelines for its integration into gynecologic care. This review synthesizes current evidence and highlights the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for the observed effects, aiming to support the rational development of curcumin-based strategies in gynecology.