Curcumin, Resveratrol and Berberine as Emerging Therapeutic Agents in Treatment of Gliomas: A Comprehensive Review

Brain tumors represent a major clinical challenge due to their complex biology, inherent resistance to conventional therapies and the limited delivery of anticancer agents across the blood–brain barrier. Natural phytochemicals such as curcumin, resveratrol and berberine have gained increasing attention for their multi-targeted anticancer properties, including induction of apoptosis, inhibition of proliferation, suppression of mitochondrial and BCL-2-family signaling and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. This comprehensive review critically examines current evidence on the use of curcumin, resveratrol and berberine in the context of brain tumor treatment, with an emphasis on gliomas’ mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetic limitations, and potential for integration into novel delivery platforms. We discuss how these compounds interact with key pathways in brain tumors—including BCL-2 inhibition, PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and epigenetic regulation—and the emerging strategies to overcome glioma-specific obstacles such as blood–brain barrier permeability and microenvironmental hypoxia. Furthermore, the review explores innovative formulations and carrier systems that enhance brain uptake and bioavailability of these agents, bridging the gap between preclinical promise and clinical translation. By identifying current gaps and proposing future research directions, this article aims to provide a roadmap for harnessing curcumin, resveratrol and berberine as adjuvant or combinatorial treatments in brain tumor therapy, focusing particularly on glioma treatment. The adoption of such phytochemicals may open new avenues for improved outcomes in patients with highly refractory brain malignancies.