Keywords
Curcumin
Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacodynamics
Therapeutic properties
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Abstract
Objective: To perform an in silico analysis of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of curcumin using the SwissADME and Swiss Target Prediction platforms, focusing on its oral bioavailability, enzymatic interactions, and potential molecular targets. Methods: An in silico analysis was conducted using the SwissADME and Swiss Target Prediction platforms to evaluate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of curcumin. Results: The results showed adequate oral bioavailability, high gastrointestinal absorption, but low permeability across the blood-brain and skin barriers. In addition, curcumin was identified as an inhibitor of the CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 enzymes, the main cytochrome P450 isoforms responsible for metabolizing several marketed drugs, which implies possible drug interactions. Pharmacodynamic analysis revealed interactions with 100 protein targets, with 12 showing maximum affinity scores (score = 10). Among them, COX-1, Nrf2, carbonic anhydrase II, and EGFR stood out. The most representative functional classes were lyases (46.7%), oxidoreductases, and kinases (13.3% each), indicating a multifaceted action on inflammatory, oxidative, and cell proliferation pathways. Conclusion: It is concluded that curcumin is promising for the development of new drugs. However, additional clinical studies are needed to consolidate its applicability in human therapeutic protocols.
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