The use of natural resources for the prevention and treatment of diseases considered fatal to humanity has evolved. Several medicinal plants have nutritional and pharmacological potential in the prevention and treatment of viral infections, among them, turmeric, which is recognized for its biological properties associated with curcuminoids, mainly represented by curcumin, and found mostly in rhizomes. The purpose of this review was to compile the pharmacological activities of curcumin and its analogs, aiming at stimulating their use as a therapeutic strategy to treat infections caused by RNA genome viruses. We revisited its historical application as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral agent that combined with low toxicity, motivated research against viruses affecting the population for decades. Most findings concentrate particularly on arboviruses, HIV, and the recent SARS-CoV-2. As one of the main conclusions, associating curcuminoids with nanomaterials increases solubility, bioavailability, and antiviral effects, characterized by blocking the entry of the virus into the cell or by inhibiting key enzymes in viral replication and transcription.

利用自然资源来预防和治疗被认为对人类致命的疾病已经发生了变化。几种药用植物在预防和治疗病毒感染方面具有营养和药理学潜力，其中姜黄因其与类姜黄素（主要以姜黄素为代表）相关的生物学特性而得到认可，主要存在于根茎中。本综述的目的是汇总姜黄素及其类似物的药理活性，旨在促进它们作为一种治疗策略来治疗由 RNA 基因组病毒引起的感染。我们重新审视了它作为抗炎剂、抗氧化剂和抗病毒剂的历史应用，结合低毒性，推动了几十年来针对影响人群的病毒的研究。大多数发现特别关注虫媒病毒、HIV 和最近的 SARS-CoV-2。作为主要结论之一，将类姜黄素与纳米材料结合可提高溶解度、生物利用度和抗病毒作用，其特点是阻止病毒进入细胞或抑制病毒复制和转录中的关键酶。