Abstract

PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF TURMERIC – A REVIEW

*J. Nisha and N. Anbu

Abstract

Turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn), a nature‟s precious and most popularIndian spice belonging to the family zingiberaceae is cultivatedthroughout the Indian sub continent because of its excellent medicinalproperties. The rhizomes of the plant have medicinal values. The activeconstituents of the turmeric are the flavonoids, curcumin (DiferuloMethane) and various volatile oils, which includes zingiberone,tumerone, water and fat soluble extracts of turmeric. The componentCurcumin exhibits strong anti-oxidant properties resulting in enhancedcellular resistance to oxidative damage. Extensive research over lastfifty years has revealed several important functions of curcumin.Turmeric has been shown with wide spectrum of biological actionwhich includes Anti-mutagenic, Anti-oxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-diabetic, Antibacterial, Anti viral, Hepatoprotective, Anti-fungal, Anti-protozoal, Anti-ulcer and Analgesicactions. Curcumin has the ability to inhibit carcinogenesis at three stages, namely tumourpromotion, angiogenesis and tumour growth. Curcumin is also used topically to counteractinflammation and irritation associated with inflammatory skin conditions and allergies. Thisreview focuses on the medicinal and pharmacological treatment of diseases with themedicinal values of turmeric.

Keywords: Turmeric, Curcuma longa, Manjal, Hepatoprotective action, Antiinflammatory action, Anti-diabetic, Anti tumour action.