Multiple Biological Actions of Curcumin in the Management of Diabetic Foot Ulcer Complications: A Systematic Review

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) or diabetic wounds are the major causes of death in patients with diabetes. Curcumin is the principal curcuminoid of turmeric (a member of ginger family), widely used as a dietary spice and coloring agent. Curcumin possesses potent anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-infective properties which makes this molecule a worthy candidate for wound healing and other inflammatory diseases. Curcumin has garnered greater attention in the past few decades in treating diabetes and its complications. However, very few studies are available in relation to curcumin as a diabetic wound healing agent with the underlying mechanisms still in the dark. Hence, this paper discusses the possible uses of curcumin in treating DFUs with the corresponding mechanisms at different junctures of diabetic wound healing. This review also summarizes the various in vitro and in vivo studies established/ reported on curcumin in treating DFUs.