Nature's gold against skin cancer: A comprehensive narrative review of the anticancer potential of curcumin.

Because increasing evidence shows the anticancer potential of curcumin, a polyphenolic compound of Curcuma longa, this narrative review seeks to elucidate the preclinical evidence of curcumin for skin cancer, specifically melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. From the databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar, literature published between January 2018 and June 2025 was retrieved. The search was performed using the terms 'curcumin', 'skin cancer', 'melanoma', 'basal cell carcinoma', 'squamous cell carcinoma', and other relevant molecular terms. The search resulted in the retrieval of 15 original studies, which included the in vitro and in vivo studies, and which fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Curcumin was shown to have anticancer activity through the modulation of the NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, JAK/STAT, and apoptotic networks (Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3). The strategies involving the use of PEGylated nanocarriers, folate-targeted nanoparticles, and chitosan films were suggested in literature to improve the curcumin solubility, bioavailability, and skin penetration. Some studies tried to investigate the combined use of curcumin and other agents, such as thymoquinone or HSV-TK/GCV gene therapy, which have synergistic effects in melanoma models. Nevertheless, preclinical studies have proposed very promising results, and to date, there have been no human clinical trials. Further research is needed to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics, and therapeutic potential of curcumin-based interventions in dermatologic oncology.