Curcumin, Resveratrol and Berberine as Emerging Therapeutic Agents in Treatment of Gliomas: A Comprehensive Review
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211a, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
- 2The Students’ Research Group, SKN No. 148, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
- 3Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
- 4Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 211A, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
Abstract
Brain tumors represent a major clinical challenge due to their complex biology, inherent resistance to conventional therapies and the limited delivery of anticancer agents across the blood–brain barrier. Natural phytochemicals such as curcumin, resveratrol and berberine have gained increasing attention for their multi-targeted anticancer properties, including induction of apoptosis, inhibition of proliferation, suppression of mitochondrial and BCL-2-family signaling and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. This comprehensive review critically examines current evidence on the use of curcumin, resveratrol and berberine in the context of brain tumor treatment, with an emphasis on gliomas’ mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetic limitations, and potential for integration into novel delivery platforms. We discuss how these compounds interact with key pathways in brain tumors—including BCL-2 inhibition, PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and epigenetic regulation—and the emerging strategies to overcome glioma-specific obstacles such as blood–brain barrier permeability and microenvironmental hypoxia. Furthermore, the review explores innovative formulations and carrier systems that enhance brain uptake and bioavailability of these agents, bridging the gap between preclinical promise and clinical translation. By identifying current gaps and proposing future research directions, this article aims to provide a roadmap for harnessing curcumin, resveratrol and berberine as adjuvant or combinatorial treatments in brain tumor therapy, focusing particularly on glioma treatment. The adoption of such phytochemicals may open new avenues for improved outcomes in patients with highly refractory brain malignancies.
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BibTeX
@article{kunachowicz2026curcumin,
title = {{Curcumin, Resveratrol and Berberine as Emerging Therapeutic Agents in Treatment of Gliomas: A Comprehensive Review}},
author = {Dominika Kunachowicz and Julia Kostrzewa and Paulina Tomecka and Anna Karwowska and Aleksandra Wojno and Agata Wojno and Oliwia Cichy and Milena Chmielewska and Paulina Lenkiewicz and Barbara Białynicka-Birula and Anna Choromańska},
journal = {Molecules},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/molecules31213835},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/3835},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Curcumin, Resveratrol and Berberine as Emerging Therapeutic Agents in Treatment of Gliomas: A Comprehensive Review
AU - Dominika Kunachowicz
AU - Julia Kostrzewa
AU - Paulina Tomecka
AU - Anna Karwowska
AU - Aleksandra Wojno
AU - Agata Wojno
AU - Oliwia Cichy
AU - Milena Chmielewska
AU - Paulina Lenkiewicz
AU - Barbara Białynicka-Birula
AU - Anna Choromańska
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/23
JO - Molecules
DO - 10.3390/molecules31213835
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/3835
AB - Brain tumors represent a major clinical challenge due to their complex biology, inherent resistance to conventional therapies and the limited delivery of anticancer agents across the blood–brain barrier. Natural phytochemicals such as curcumin, resveratrol and berberine have gained increasing attention for their multi-targeted anticancer properties, including induction of apoptosis, inhibition of proliferation, suppression of mitochondrial and BCL-2-family signaling and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. This comprehensive review critically examines current evidence on the use of curcumin, resveratrol and berberine in the context of brain tumor treatment, with an emphasis on gliomas’ mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetic limitations, and potential for integration into novel delivery platforms. We discuss how these compounds interact with key pathways in brain tumors—including BCL-2 inhibition, PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and epigenetic regulation—and the emerging strategies to overcome glioma-specific obstacles such as blood–brain barrier permeability and microenvironmental hypoxia. Furthermore, the review explores innovative formulations and carrier systems that enhance brain uptake and bioavailability of these agents, bridging the gap between preclinical promise and clinical translation. By identifying current gaps and proposing future research directions, this article aims to provide a roadmap for harnessing curcumin, resveratrol and berberine as adjuvant or combinatorial treatments in brain tumor therapy, focusing particularly on glioma treatment. The adoption of such phytochemicals may open new avenues for improved outcomes in patients with highly refractory brain malignancies.
SN - 1420-3049
ER -