curcumin glucuronide

Curcumin glucuronide (also known as curcumin monoglucuronide or TBP1901) is a small-molecule diarylheptanoid and a major phase II conjugated metabolite of curcumin, the primary bioactive pigment found in turmeric (*Curcuma longa*). It is formed in vivo when UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes attach a glucuronic acid moiety to the phenolic hydroxyl groups of curcumin, primarily in the liver and intestinal wall following oral ingestion. While historically considered an inactive metabolite with improved water solubility but reduced in vitro bioactivity compared to parent curcumin, curcumin glucuronide is developed as a water-soluble prodrug (such as TBP1901 by Therabiopharma and Kyoto University) that is converted back into active aglycone curcumin in vivo by the enzyme beta-glucuronidase (GUSB), which is highly active in bone marrow and tumor tissues. It has been investigated for potential therapeutic applications in colorectal cancer, multiple myeloma, glioblastoma, osteoarthritis, and COVID-19.

Other names

curcumin beta-D-glucuronidecurcumin beta-D-glucuronide sodium saltcurcumin monoglucuronidecurcumin monoglucuronide sodium saltcurcumin O-glucuronidecurcumin-glucuronide