CURCUMA LONGA
It is widely grown in these and other tropical regions, but it is native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
Curcuma longa, also known as turmeric, is a perennial herb with a rootstock from which its leaves emerge. The leaves are 1 meter long, lanceolate or oblong, with dark green upper and pale green underside. The plant's spike appears before the leaves unfurl, and its flowers are sterile, pale yellow, and reddish-covered. Curcuma longa also has a 2-meter-long pseudostem, a leafy shoot, commonly grown in rural backyard gardens.
Rhizomes, or underground stems, are the most commonly used part of the plant. They have bright orange flesh but dull exterior and are thick, tuberous, and branched. Turmeric, an orange-yellow powder, is made from dried rhizomes.
TAXONOMY
Species: longa
Botanical Name: Curcuma longa
LOCAL NAME
Akan, nkabe ase, or ateagyaa ase(TWI).
COMMON NAMES
Turmeric
SYNONYMS
Curcuma domestica Valeton
PHYTOCHEMICALS SCREENING
Phytochemical screening revealed curcumin more specifically, desmethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin, α-, and β-turmeron.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Ar-Turmerone (99), α-turmerone (100), β-turmerone (101). Other important constituents of essential oils are aromatic-turmerone (11.63%), β-sesquiphellandrene[ (19.40%) β-phellandrene (2.49%), 1,3,8-p-menthatriene (1.76%), Ascaridole epoxide (1.452%), 2-methylisoborneol (2.92%)], monoterpenes(α-phellandrene (53.4%), Terpinolene (11.5%), 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) (10.27%), α-pinene (1.50%), β-pinene (3.57%), Limonene (2.73%) 5-isopropyl-6-methyl-hepta-3,5-dien-2-ol (2.07%), turmerone (19.44%), and α-zingiberene (27.51%). Monoterpenes predominate in the leaves and flowers, while sesquiterpenes are more prevalent in the rhizomes and roots. The rhizomes and roots are the main locations for the essential oils. More than 235 different compounds have been found in C. longa, including 14 other compounds, 4 sterols, 2 diarylheptanoids, 8 phenylpropenes, 68 monoterpenes, 109 sesquiterpenes, 5 diterpenes, 3 triterpenoids, and 22 diarylheptanoids.
CHEMICAL STRUCTURE
PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES
ANTIOXIDANTS
Studies revealed that the active compound of Curcuma longa, curcumin, is a strong antioxidant that has the ability to neutralize reactive oxygen species and free radicals. Antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase are enhanced by it.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
Curcumin impedes the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. It inhibits the NF-κB pathway's activation, which is a crucial modulator of the expression of genes that cause inflammation. Curcumin inhibits pro-inflammatory synthesis by inhibiting enzymes 5-lipoxygenase and COX-2. Its therapeutic effect in sepsis is achieved by activating PPAR-γ, inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and TNF-α release.
ANTIMICROBIAL
Curcumin exhibits antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties, damaging microbial cell membranes and obstructing metabolic processes. Its antifungal action over Candida strains is less efficacious than fluconazole.
NEUROPROTECTIVE
Curcumin and Curcuma oil may offer neuroprotective benefits by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, preventing mitochondrial dysfunction, inhibiting cytochrome c release, regulating Bax: Bcl-2 protein ratios, and suppressing caspase activation.
CARDIOPROTECTIVE
Curcumin has been shown to have positive effects on the cardiovascular system, including decreased atherogenesis and improved lipid metabolism. Curcumin may reduce chronic heart failure by boosting p38 MAPK, JNK, and ASK1.
HEPATOPROTECTIVE
Curcumin reduces liver damage and slows disease progression in conditions like fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, and liver fibrosis, with hepatoprotective effects against toxins.
ANTIALLERGIC
Curcumin has demonstrated antifertility properties as well as the capacity to mitigate allergic responses. Curcumin inhibited both nonspecific and selective mast cell-mediated allergy reactions while also raising intracellular cAMP levels.
WOUND HEALING
Curcumin is beneficial in wound healing as well. It promotes the synthesis of type I collagen, a vital component of the skin's extracellular matrix, by increasing the expression of collagen-related genes. This action aids in wound closure and the formation of granulation tissue. Furthermore, curcumin enhances the expression of growth factors essential for wound healing, such as PDGF and TGF-β, and promotes the migration and proliferation of skin cells involved in the healing process.
ETHNOMEDICINAL USES
Turmeric has been utilised for centuries in traditional Indian medicine systems, particularly Ayurveda and Unani. It is the treatment of liver disorder, skin conditions, respiratory issues, role in digestive health by modulating the gut microbiome such as peptic ulcers and also helps in wound healing as well.
TOXICOLOGICAL PROFILE
The extract, containing alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, steroids, tannins, phenolics, and flavonoids, was found to have a lethal dose exceeding 5000 mg/kg body weight without adverse effects on liver or kidney function, and elevated red blood cell counts and antioxidant enzyme activities.
DRUG-DRUG INTERACTION
Curcumin may interact with blood-thinning drugs due to its antiplatelet and anticoagulant properties, and it might also affect antidepressants and some chemotherapy medications because of its similar effects. Additionally, curcumin can interact with other drugs metabolised by the liver.
CLINICALLY VALIDATED
It has been clinically validated in its uses in cardiovascular health, metabolic disorders, digestive health, cancer, autoimmune disease.
REFERENCES
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