curcumin , a polyphenol extracted from the rhizome turmeric , has been polymerized to produce a polymer material having a backbone of one or more repeating structural units , at least one of which comprises a curcumin monomer residue . these curcumin - containing polymers have a wide range of pharmacological activities , including , among others antitumor , antioxidant , antiinflammatory , antithrombotic and antibacterial activities . certain species of these polymers have exhibited remarkable antitumor activity . water - soluble curcumin derivatives and their use as prodrugs and prodrug carriers are also disclosed .