Multitargeting by turmeric, the golden spice: From kitchen to clinic

Abstract

Although much has been published about curcumin, which is obtained from turmeric, comparatively little is known about turmeric itself. Turmeric, a golden spice obtained from the rhizome of the plant Curcuma longa, has been used to give color and taste to food preparations since ancient times. Traditionally, this spice has been used in Ayurveda and folk medicine for the treatment of such ailments as gynecological problems, gastric problems, hepatic disorders, infectious diseases, and blood disorders. Modern science has provided the scientific basis for the use of turmeric against such disorders. Various chemical constituents have been isolated from this spice, including polyphenols, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenoids, sterols, and alkaloids. Curcumin, which constitutes 2-5% of turmeric, is perhaps the most-studied component. Although some of the activities of turmeric can be mimicked by curcumin, other activities are curcumin-independent. Cell-based studies have demonstrated the potential of turmeric as an antimicrobial, insecticidal, larvicidal, antimutagenic, radioprotector, and anticancer agent. Numerous animal studies have shown the potential of this spice against proinflammatory diseases, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, depression, diabetes, obesity, and atherosclerosis. At the molecular level, this spice has been shown to modulate numerous cell-signaling pathways. In clinical trials, turmeric has shown efficacy against numerous human ailments including lupus nephritis, cancer, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, acne, and fibrosis. Thus, a spice originally common in the kitchen is now exhibiting activities in the clinic. In this review, we discuss the chemical constituents of turmeric, its biological activities, its molecular targets, and its potential in the clinic.

Antioxidant Properties of Popular Turmeric(Curcuma longa)Varieties from Bangladesh

“…Curcuminoids (mostly curcumin) and essential oils (primarily monoterpenes) are the major bioactive constituents showing different bioactivities. Calebin-A, vanillic acid, vanillin, quercetin, and other phenolic compounds have also previously been identified from turmeric [7,11].…”

“…Turmeric is a golden spice derived from the rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant, which belongs to the Zingiberaceae family [7]. Since ancient times, turmeric has been used as the principal ingredient of dishes originating from Bangladesh and India for its color, flavor, and taste.…”

“…Since ancient times, turmeric has been used as the principal ingredient of dishes originating from Bangladesh and India for its color, flavor, and taste. It is also used in social and religious ceremonies in Ayurvedic and folk medicines against various ailments, including gastric, hepatic, gynecological, and infectious diseases [7,8].…”

Component Authentication and Standardisation of an Anti-atherosclerotic Herbal Formulation-GSTC3

“…The selection of individual plants and preparation of the extracts were based on their scientifically proven efficacy in reducing the risks associated with atherosclerosis. [5][6][7][8] The active components and their modes of actions have also been reJeksy Jos Manalil, Indu Muraleedharan Suseela, Smitha Koyickalmadhom Ramavarma, Arunaksharan Narayanankutty and Achuthan Chathrattil Raghavamenon ported. [9][10][11][12] The individual plant powders of the formulation and the formulation itself in different proportions were tested using various in vitro and in vivo models and are found to have antioxidant, antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-lipidemic efficacy.…”

An optimized molecular inclusion complex of diferuloylmethane: enhanced physical properties and biological activity

“…Diferuloylmethane (DFM), a natural polyphenolic extract of turmeric, definitely shows inhibitory activity against many cancer cells, including those of the lung, liver, stomach, ovaries, breast, bladder, head, and neck. 2,3 Meanwhile, DFM has shown almost no toxicity against normal cells and dose-limiting toxicity in all animal tests and human clinical trials. 4 It seems very reasonable, then, that DFM is regarded as one of the most promising antitumor drugs, even though it has not been available clinically so far.…”