**Abstract**

Curcumin is a major constituent of turmeric and has been shown to have a plethora of health benefits, which include, among many, antimicrobial, anticancer, and reduction of cholesterol. However, it has also been reported that curcumin has less bioaccumulation and is quickly metabolized and cleared from the body. Nanoparticle formulations are known to increase curcumin biocompatibility and targeting. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity of curcumin has been extensively studied and the mechanism of action provides clues for the development of new drugs for drug-resistant microbes. Thus, this chapter will review the biomedical application of curcumin and its nanoformulations against different microbes and other diseases, including cancer.

**Keywords:** curcumin, nanoparticles, nanomedicine, antimicrobial, antineoplastic
