Medicinal and Therapeutic Potential of Turmeric (Curcuma longa): A Comprehensive Review
Authors
Sharat Srivastava
Department of Chemistry, Dayanand Vedic College Orai (IN)
Manish
Department of Chemistry, Dayanand Vedic College Orai (IN)
Vijay Kumar Chaudhary
Department of Chemistry, Dayanand Vedic College Orai (IN)
Niti Kushwaha
Department of Botany, Dayanand Vedic College Orai (IN)
Harsh Kumar Garg
Department of Chemistry, Dayanand Vedic College Orai (IN)
Article Information
DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2026.150500075
Subject Category: Phytochemistry
Volume/Issue: 15/5 | Page No: 883-896
Publication Timeline
Submitted: 2026-06-02
Published: 2026-06-02
Abstract
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been a fundamental element of traditional medicine for ages, especially in Ayurvedic and Chinese practices. The bioactive molecule curcumin has attracted considerable interest for its medicinal potential. This review examines the therapeutic qualities of turmeric, emphasizing its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial actions. Turmeric's capacity to regulate many signaling pathways, including NF-kB, MAPK, and PI3K/Akt, enhances its therapeutic efficacy in the management of chronic conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular illnesses, and neurological disorders. Furthermore, turmeric's efficacy in wound healing, intestinal health, and metabolic regulation is examined. The review also examined the problems related to curcumin's bioavailability and methods to improve its medicinal efficacy. Turmeric's diverse medical characteristics render it a viable natural substance for both preventive and therapeutic applications. Additional research is necessary to thoroughly clarify its therapeutic potential and enhance its applications in contemporary medicine.
Keywords
Turmeric, Curcuma longa, Curcumin, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Cancer, Cardiovascular disease
This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
Downloads
References
1. Abas, F., Lajis, N. H., Shaari, K., Israf, D. A., Stanslas, J., & Yusuf, U. K. (2005). A labdane diterpene glucoside from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa. Journal of Natural Products, 68(7), 1090–1093. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
2. Akram, M., Shahab-Uddin, Khan, A. A., Chani, U., Hanan, A., & Mohiuddin, E. (2010). Curcuma longa and curcumin: A review article. Romanian Journal of Biology – Plant Biology, 55, 65–72. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
3. Ammon, H. P., & Wahl, M. A. (1991). Pharmacology of Curcuma longa. Planta Medica, 57(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-960004 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
4. Ashraf, K. (2018). A comprehensive review on Curcuma longa Linn.: Phytochemical, pharmacological, and molecular study. International Journal of Green Pharmacy, 11(4). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
5. Binic, I., Lazarevic, V., Ljubenovic, M., Mojsa, J., & Sokolovic, D. (2013). Skin ageing: Natural weapons and strategies. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
6. Boskabady, M. H., Shakeri, F., & Naghdi, F. (2020). The effects of Curcuma longa L. and its constituents in respiratory disorders and molecular mechanisms of their action. In Studies in Natural Products Chemistry (pp. 239–269). Elsevier. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
7. Cao, Q., Zhang, J., Gao, L., Zhang, Y., Dai, M., & Bao, M. (2018). Dickkopf-3 upregulation mediates the cardioprotective effects of curcumin on chronic heart failure. Molecular Medicine Reports, 17(5), 7249–7257. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2018.8783 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
8. Chattopadhyay, I., Biswas, K., Bandyopadhyay, U., & Banerjee, R. K. (2004). Turmeric and curcumin: Biological actions and medicinal applications. Current Science, 87(1), 44–53. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
9. Choi, Y. H., Yan, G. H., Chai, O. H., & Song, C. H. (2010). Inhibitory effects of curcumin on mast cell activation. Anatomy & Cell Biology, 43(1), 36–43. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
10. Etemadi, S., Barhaghi, M. H. S., Leylabadlo, H. E., Memar, M. Y., Mohammadi, A. B., & Ghotaslou, R. (2021). The synergistic effect of turmeric aqueous extract and chitosan against multidrug-resistant bacteria. New Microbes and New Infections, 41, 100861. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nmni.2021.100861 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
11. Gao, S., Zhang, W., Zhao, Q., Zhou, J., Wu, Y., Liu, Y., et al. (2019). Curcumin ameliorates atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E deficient asthmatic mice. Phytomedicine, 52, 129–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2018.09.194 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
12. Golding, B. T., & Pombo-Villar, E. (1992). Structures of α- and β-turmerone. Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1, 1519–1524. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
13. Golding, B., Pombo, E., & Christopher, J. (1982). Turmerones: Isolation from turmeric and structure determination. Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemical Communications, 363–364. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
14. Guimarães, A. F., Vinhas, A. C. A., Gomes, A. F., Souza, L. H., & Krepsky, P. B. (2020). Essential oil of Curcuma longa L.: Chemical composition, yield variation and stability. Química Nova, 43, 909–913. https://doi.org/10.21577/0100-4042.20170547 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
15. Heath, D. D., Khwaja, F., & Rock, C. L. (2004). Curcumin content of turmeric and curry powders. FASEB Journal, 18, A125. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
16. Hembrom, A. R., Verma, A., & Singh, V. N. (2015). Antifertility effects of rhizome of Curcuma longa on seminal parameters. Research Journal of Pharmaceutical Technology, 8(4), 404–406. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
17. Jacob, A., Wu, R., Zhou, M., & Wang, P. (2007). Mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin: PPAR-γ activation. PPAR Research, 2007, 89369. https://doi.org/10.1155/2007/89369 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
18. Jassal, P., Kaur, G., & Kaur, L. (2015). Synergistic effect of Curcuma longa and Glycyrrhiza glabra. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, 371–375. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
19. Jayaprakasha, G. K., Negi, P. S., Anandharamakrishnan, C., & Sakariah, K. K. (2001). Chemical composition of turmeric oil and antifungal activity. Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C, 56(1–2), 40–44. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
20. Khattak, S., Saeed-ur-Rehman, H. U., Ullah Shah, H., Ahmad, W., & Ahmad, M. (2005). Biological effects of indigenous medicinal plants. Fitoterapia, 76(2), 254–257. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
21. Leong-Škornickova, J., Šida, O., Wijesundara, S., & Marhold, K. (2008). On the identity of turmeric: Typification of Curcuma longa L. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 157(1), 37–46. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8339.2008.00788.x [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
22. Li, S. Y., Yuan, W., Deng, G. R., Wang, P., et al. (2011). Chemical composition and product quality control of turmeric. Pharmaceutical Crops, 2, 28–54. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
23. Liao, V. H., Yu, C. W., Chu, Y. J., Li, W. H., Hsieh, Y. C., & Wang, T. T. (2011). Curcumin-mediated lifespan extension. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 132(10), 480–487. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
24. Mahady, G. B., Pendland, S. L., Yun, G., & Lu, Z. Z. (2002). Turmeric inhibits Helicobacter pylori. Anticancer Research, 22(6C), 4179–4181. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
25. McClatchey, W. (1993). Traditional use of Curcuma longa in Rotuma. Economic Botany, 47(3), 291–296. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
26. Mohammed, H. S., Khadrawy, Y. A., El-Sherbini, T. M., & Amer, H. M. (2019). Antidepressant efficacy of nanocurcumin. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 187(3), 1096–1112. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
27. Nair, K. P. (2013). The agronomy and economy of turmeric and ginger. Newnes. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
28. Nelson, K. M., Dahlin, J. L., Bisson, J., et al. (2017). The essential medicinal chemistry of curcumin. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 60(5), 1620–1637. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00975 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
29. Neelofar, K., Shreaz, S., Rimple, B., Muralidhar, S., Nikhat, M., & Khan, L. A. (2011). Curcumin as an anticandidal agent. Canadian Journal of Microbiology, 57(3), 204–210. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
30. Nisar, T., Iqbal, M., Raza, A., Safdar, M., Iftikhar, F., & Waheed, M. (2015). Estimation of phenolics in turmeric. Environmental Science, 15(7), 1272–1277. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
31. Nishiyama, T., Mae, T., Kishida, H., et al. (2005). Suppression of blood glucose by curcuminoids. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 53(4), 959–963. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
32. Paranjpe, P., & Pranjpe, S. (2001). Herbs for beauty. Chaukhamba Sanskrit Prathisthan. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
33. Pfeiffer, E., Huhle, S., Solyom, A., & Metzler, M. (2003). Stability of turmeric constituents. Journal of Food Engineering, 56, 257–259. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
34. Qi, X. J., Liu, X. Y., Tang, L. M., Li, P. F., Qiu, F., & Yang, A. H. (2020). Curcumin nasal delivery system. Pharmaceutical Development and Technology, 25(3), 316–325. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
35. Qin, S., Huang, L., Gong, J., Shen, S., Huang, J., & Ren, H. (2017). Curcumin and lipid levels: Meta-analysis. Nutrition Journal, 16, 68. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
36. Rafatullah, S., Tariq, M., Al-Yahya, M. A., Mossa, J. S., & Ageel, A. M. (1990). Antiulcer activity of turmeric. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 29(1), 25–34. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
37. Rahimi, R., & Abdollahi, M. (2012). Herbal medicines for IBS. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 18(7), 589–600. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
38. Ram, A., Das, M., & Ghosh, B. (2003). Curcumin and airway hyperresponsiveness. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 26(7), 1021–1024. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
39. Ravindran, P. N., Nirmal Babu, K., & Sivaraman, K. (2007). Turmeric: The genus Curcuma. CRC Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
40. Ritsuko, K., & Reid, L. (2007). Proto use of turmeric. John Benjamins. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
41. Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. (2021). Curcuma longa L. Retrieved from http://powo.science.kew.org [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
42. Salehi, B., Del Prado-Audelo, M. L., Cortés, H., et al. (2020). Curcumin nanomedicine. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(3), 746. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
43. Sandur, S. K., Pandey, M. K., Sung, B., et al. (2007). Anti-inflammatory responses of curcuminoids. Carcinogenesis, 28(8), 1765–1773. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
44. Sharma, M., Manoharlal, R., Negi, A. S., & Prasad, R. (2010). Anticandidal activity of curcumin. FEMS Yeast Research, 10(5), 570–578. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
45. Sharma, P. V. (2000). Namarupajnanam. Satyapriya Prakashan. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
46. Shinde, N., Chauhan, A. S., Gupta, S. K., Bodakhe, S. H., & Pandey, D. P. (2015). Antifertility studies of curcumin. Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction, 4(3), 188–194. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
47. Shoskes, D., Lapierre, C., Cruz-Correa, M., et al. (2006). Curcumin in renal transplantation. Transplantation, 82(5), 715. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
48. Singh, S., & Aggarwal, B. B. (1995). Suppression of NF-kappa B by curcumin. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 270(42), 24995–25000. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
49. Soleimani, V., Sahebkar, A., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2018). Safety of turmeric and curcumin. Phytotherapy Research, 32(6), 985–995. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
50. Somanawat, K., Thong-Ngam, D., & Klaikeaw, N. (2013). Curcumin and hepatitis. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 19(12), 1962–1967. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
51. Tajbakhsh, S., Mohammadi, K., Deilami, I., et al. (2008). Antibacterial activity of curcumin. African Journal of Biotechnology, 7(21), 3832–3835. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
52. Thong-Ngam, D., Choochuai, S., Patumraj, S., et al. (2012). Curcumin prevents gastropathy. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 18(13), 1479–1484. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
53. Uma Pradeep, K., Geervani, P., & Eggum, B. O. (1993). Nutrient composition of Indian spices. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 44(2), 137–148. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
54. Uchio, R., Kawasaki, K., Okuda-Hanafusa, C., et al. (2021). Curcuma extract improves inflammation and mental health. Nutrition Journal, 20, 91. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
55. Wang, R., Zhang, J. Y., Zhang, M., et al. (2018). Curcumin attenuates myocardial injury. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 22(4), 1150–1160. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
56. Wickenberg, J., Ingemansson, S. L., & Hlebowicz, J. (2010). Effects of turmeric on glucose and insulin. Nutrition Journal, 9, 43. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
57. Wuthi-Udomlert, M., Grisanapan, W., Luanratana, O., & Caichompoo, W. (2000). Antifungal activity of turmeric. Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health, 31, 178–182. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
58. Xia, X., Cheng, G., Pan, Y., et al. (2007). Neurochemical effects of turmeric extract. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 110(2), 356–363. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
59. Yu, Z. F., Kong, L. D., & Chen, Y. (2002). Antidepressant activity of turmeric. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 83(1–2), 161–165. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]
Metrics
Views & Downloads
Similar Articles
- Block-Based Programming for Education: A Comprehensive Analysis of Visual Programming Environments in K-12 Learning
- Management of Academic Libraries and Client Satisfaction Towards Digital Utilization: Basis for Monitoring Library Operations in SOCCSKSARGEN Region.
- Revenue Leakages in TPA Insurance Claims and Corporate Claims: An Institutional Overview of Aster Prime Hospital, Hyderabad
- Technology and Innovation in Hospitality and Tourism: A Management Perspective
- Geospatial Distribution of Tarok Sacred Grove of Langtang North and Langtang South Local Government Areas