Abstract: Curcumin hybrids combine the pharmacophore of curcumin with other bioactive molecules, such as metals, synthetic drugs, phytoconstituents, peptides, or Nano carriers, resulting in synergistic pharmacological effects and enhanced pharmacokinetic profiles. Recent studies demonstrate that these hybrids exhibit superior enzyme inhibition (α-glucosidase, α-amylase, DPP-4), improved glucose uptake, enhanced insulin sensitivity, and significant antioxidant activity compared to native curcumin. Moreover, many hybrid derivatives show improved stability, metabolic resistance, and controlled-release behavior. This review summarizes the chemistry of curcumin, types of curcumin hybrids, synthesis strategies, and mechanisms of antidiabetic action, pharmacokinetic benefits, and current research limitations. A detailed discussion on future opportunities including advanced hybrid design, Nano-hybrid systems, molecular docking, and clinical translation is also provided. Curcumin hybrids thus represent a highly promising next-generation therapeutic approach for effective and safer diabetes management. Curcumin hybrids produce synergistic pharmacological effects and improved pharmacokinetic profiles by combining the pharmacophore of curcumin with other bioactive molecules, such as metals, synthetic medicines, phytoconstituents, peptides, or Nano carriers. According to recent research, these hybrids outperform natural curcumin in terms of enzyme inhibition (α-glucosidase, α-amylase, DPP-4), glucose absorption, insulin sensitivity, and antioxidant activity. Additionally, a lot of hybrid derivatives exhibit enhanced controlled-release behaviour, metabolic resistance, and stability. The chemistry of curcumin, types of curcumin hybrids, synthesis techniques, mechanisms of antidiabetic action, pharmacokinetic advantages, and present research limits are all summarized in this paper. Future prospects, such as enhanced hybrid design, Nano-hybrid systems, molecular docking, and clinical translation, are also thoroughly discussed. Thus, curcumin hybrids offer a very promising next-generation treatment strategy for managing diabetes in a safer and more effective manner.

Keywords: Curcumin hybrids, Antidiabetic agents, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, α-amylase inhibition, α-glucosidase inhibition, DPP-4 inhibition, Insulin sensitization, β-cell protection, GLUT-4 translocation, Anti-inflammatory activity, Antioxidant mechanisms, Nanotechnology, Nano-hybrids, Metal–curcumin complexes

Downloads: | DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2025.1211033