Medicinal and Therapeutic Potential of Turmeric (Curcuma longa): A Comprehensive Review
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
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.
Downloads
References
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.
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.
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
Ashraf, K. (2018). A comprehensive review on Curcuma longa Linn.: Phytochemical, pharmacological, and molecular study. International Journal of Green Pharmacy, 11(4).
Binic, I., Lazarevic, V., Ljubenovic, M., Mojsa, J., & Sokolovic, D. (2013). Skin ageing: Natural weapons and strategies. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
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.
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
Chattopadhyay, I., Biswas, K., Bandyopadhyay, U., & Banerjee, R. K. (2004). Turmeric and curcumin: Biological actions and medicinal applications. Current Science, 87(1), 44–53.
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.
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
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
Golding, B. T., & Pombo-Villar, E. (1992). Structures of α- and β-turmerone. Journal of the Chemical Society, Perkin Transactions 1, 1519–1524.
Golding, B., Pombo, E., & Christopher, J. (1982). Turmerones: Isolation from turmeric and structure determination. Journal of the Chemical Society, Chemical Communications, 363–364.
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
Heath, D. D., Khwaja, F., & Rock, C. L. (2004). Curcumin content of turmeric and curry powders. FASEB Journal, 18, A125.
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.
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
Jassal, P., Kaur, G., & Kaur, L. (2015). Synergistic effect of Curcuma longa and Glycyrrhiza glabra. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, 371–375.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Mahady, G. B., Pendland, S. L., Yun, G., & Lu, Z. Z. (2002). Turmeric inhibits Helicobacter pylori. Anticancer Research, 22(6C), 4179–4181.
McClatchey, W. (1993). Traditional use of Curcuma longa in Rotuma. Economic Botany, 47(3), 291–296.
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.
Nair, K. P. (2013). The agronomy and economy of turmeric and ginger. Newnes.
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
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.
Nisar, T., Iqbal, M., Raza, A., Safdar, M., Iftikhar, F., & Waheed, M. (2015). Estimation of phenolics in turmeric. Environmental Science, 15(7), 1272–1277.
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.
Paranjpe, P., & Pranjpe, S. (2001). Herbs for beauty. Chaukhamba Sanskrit Prathisthan.
Pfeiffer, E., Huhle, S., Solyom, A., & Metzler, M. (2003). Stability of turmeric constituents. Journal of Food Engineering, 56, 257–259.
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.
Qin, S., Huang, L., Gong, J., Shen, S., Huang, J., & Ren, H. (2017). Curcumin and lipid levels: Meta-analysis. Nutrition Journal, 16, 68.
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.
Rahimi, R., & Abdollahi, M. (2012). Herbal medicines for IBS. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 18(7), 589–600.
Ram, A., Das, M., & Ghosh, B. (2003). Curcumin and airway hyperresponsiveness. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 26(7), 1021–1024.
Ravindran, P. N., Nirmal Babu, K., & Sivaraman, K. (2007). Turmeric: The genus Curcuma. CRC Press.
Ritsuko, K., & Reid, L. (2007). Proto use of turmeric. John Benjamins.
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. (2021). Curcuma longa L. Retrieved from http://powo.science.kew.org
Salehi, B., Del Prado-Audelo, M. L., Cortés, H., et al. (2020). Curcumin nanomedicine. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(3), 746.
Sandur, S. K., Pandey, M. K., Sung, B., et al. (2007). Anti-inflammatory responses of curcuminoids. Carcinogenesis, 28(8), 1765–1773.
Sharma, M., Manoharlal, R., Negi, A. S., & Prasad, R. (2010). Anticandidal activity of curcumin. FEMS Yeast Research, 10(5), 570–578.
Sharma, P. V. (2000). Namarupajnanam. Satyapriya Prakashan.
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.
Shoskes, D., Lapierre, C., Cruz-Correa, M., et al. (2006). Curcumin in renal transplantation. Transplantation, 82(5), 715.
Singh, S., & Aggarwal, B. B. (1995). Suppression of NF-kappa B by curcumin. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 270(42), 24995–25000.
Soleimani, V., Sahebkar, A., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2018). Safety of turmeric and curcumin. Phytotherapy Research, 32(6), 985–995.
Somanawat, K., Thong-Ngam, D., & Klaikeaw, N. (2013). Curcumin and hepatitis. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 19(12), 1962–1967.
Tajbakhsh, S., Mohammadi, K., Deilami, I., et al. (2008). Antibacterial activity of curcumin. African Journal of Biotechnology, 7(21), 3832–3835.
Thong-Ngam, D., Choochuai, S., Patumraj, S., et al. (2012). Curcumin prevents gastropathy. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 18(13), 1479–1484.
Uma Pradeep, K., Geervani, P., & Eggum, B. O. (1993). Nutrient composition of Indian spices. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 44(2), 137–148.
Uchio, R., Kawasaki, K., Okuda-Hanafusa, C., et al. (2021). Curcuma extract improves inflammation and mental health. Nutrition Journal, 20, 91.
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.
Wickenberg, J., Ingemansson, S. L., & Hlebowicz, J. (2010). Effects of turmeric on glucose and insulin. Nutrition Journal, 9, 43.
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.
Xia, X., Cheng, G., Pan, Y., et al. (2007). Neurochemical effects of turmeric extract. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 110(2), 356–363.
Yu, Z. F., Kong, L. D., & Chen, Y. (2002). Antidepressant activity of turmeric. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 83(1–2), 161–165.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All articles published in our journal are licensed under CC-BY 4.0, which permits authors to retain copyright of their work. This license allows for unrestricted use, sharing, and reproduction of the articles, provided that proper credit is given to the original authors and the source.