Curcuma longa Linn.
Synonym: C. domestica Valeton.
Family _ Zingiberaceae.
Habitat _ Cultivated all over India,
particularly in West Bengal, Tamil
Nadu and Maharashtra.
English _ Turmeric.
Ayurvedic _ Haridraa, Priyaka,
Haridruma, Kshanda, Gauri,
Kaanchani, Krimighna, Varavarnini,
Yoshitapriyaa, Hattavilaasini,
Naktaahvaa, Sharvari.
Unani _ Zard Chob.
Siddha/Tamil _ Manjal.
Action _ Anti-inflammatory,
cholagogue, hepatoprotective,
blood-purifier, antioxidant, detoxifier
and regenerator of liver tissue,
antiasthmatic, anti-tumour, anticutaneous,
antiprotozoal, stomachic,
carminative. Reduces high plasma
cholesterol. Antiplatelet activity offers
protection to heart and vessels.
Also protects against DNA damage
in lymphocytes.
Key application _ In dyspeptic
conditions. (German Commission
E, ESCOP, WHO.) As antiinflammatory,
stomachic. (Indian
Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)
The rhizomes gave curcuminoids,
the mixture known as curcumin, consisting
of atleast four phenolic diarylheptanoids,
including curcumin and
monodesmethoxycurcumin; volatile
oil , containing about
turmerones which are sesquiterpene
ketones, and bitter principles, sugars,
starch, resin.
Curcumin related phenolics possess
antioxidant, anti-inflammatory,
gastroprotective and hepatoprotective
activities. The antioxidant activity of
curcumin is comparable to standard
antioxidants—vitamin C and E, BHA
and BHT.
The volatile oil, also curcumin, exhibited
anti-inflammatory activity in
a variety of experimental models (the
effects were comparable to those of
cortisone and phenylbutazone). Used
orally, curcumin prevents the release
of inflammatory mediators. It depletes
nerve endings of substance P, the neurotransmitter
of pain receptors. Curcumin’s cholesterol-lowering
actions include interfering with intestinal
cholesterol uptake, increasing
the conversion of cholesterol into bile
acids and increasing the excretion of
bile acids via its choleretic effects.
Curcuminoids prevent the increases
in liver enzymes, SGOT and SGPT; this
validates the use of turmeric as a hepatoprotective
drug in liver disorders.
Curlone, obtained from the dried rhizome,
is used against hepatitis.
Turmeric and curcumin increase
the mucin content of the stomach and
exert gastroprotective effects against
stress, alcohol, drug-induced ulcer
formation. (Curcumin at doses of
100 mg/kg weight exhibited ulcerogenic
activity in rats.)
Theethanolic extract of the rhizome
exhibited blood sugar lowering activity
in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
Piperine (a constituent of black and
long pepper) enhances absorption and
bioavailability of curcumin.
Dosage _ Cured rhizome—1 to 2 g
