Abstract

  Turmeric is a herbal plant (Curcuma longa) of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) that has been used traditionally from many years in Asia for medicinal, edible and other purposes. The medicinal properties of turmeric could be allocated to the presence of active components called curcuminoids. Curcumin (60%-70%), demethoxycurcumin (DMC-20%-30%), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC- 10%-15%) are collectively known as curcuminoids. Many studies conducted in vitro and in vivo in both animals and human beings have recommended that curcumin has strong antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antimutagenic, antidiabetic antimicrobial and many more beneficial properties. Presence of important structural elements: the β-diketone structure, the hydroxyl group at the ortho position in the benzene ring and methoxy groups are highly responsible for the antioxidant activity of curcumin. Presence of important structural elements: the β-diketone structure, the hydroxyl group at the ortho position in the benzene ring and methoxy groups are highly responsible for the antioxidant activity of curcumin. Curcumin hinders the activity of growth factor receptors. The anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin are refereed via its impact on cytokines, lipid mediators, eicosanoids and proteolytic enzymes. Curcumin increases the antioxidant enzymes activities such as: superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and heme oxygenase-1. These antioxidant activities decrease the level of lipid peroxidation, so reducing the oxidative damage in the tissues. These measures act as the basis for many of its pharmacological and therapeutic properties.

Keywords: Curcumin; Curcuma longa; Free Radicals; Curcuminoids; Anti-oxidant; Anti-obesity; Anti-cancer

References

Citation

Citation: Amrita Kumari., et al. “A Review on Curcumin and its Medicinal Properties”. Acta Scientific Pharmaceutical Sciences 5.2 (2021): 31-37.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2020 Amrita Kumari., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.