Medicinal and pharmacological properties of Turmeric (Curcuma longa): A review

Abstract

Turmeric or Curcuma longa, is a perennial herb and member of the
Zingiberaceae (ginger) family, and is cultivated extensively in Asian countries. The
rhizome, the portion of the plant used medicinally as a yellow powder which is used
as a flavor in many cuisines and as a medicines to treat many diseases particularly as
an anti-inflammatory and for the treatment of flatulence, jaundice, menstrual
difficulties, hematuria, hemorrhage, and colic or can be applied as an ointment to
treat many skin diseases. The active constituents of turmeric are the flavonoid
curcumin (diferuloylmethane) and various volatile oils, including tumerone,
atlantone, and zingiberone. Water and fat soluble extracts of turmeric and its
curcumin component exhibit strong antioxidant activity, comparable to vitamins C
and E. Turmeric’s hepatoprotective effect is mainly a result of its antioxidant
properties resulting in enhanced cellular resistance to oxidative damage as well as its
ability to decrease the formation of proinflammatory cytokines. Curcumin
administration significantly decreased liver injury in test animals compared to
controls and Turmeric extract also inhibited fungal aflatoxin production by 90% in
addition to the role of turmeric and curcumin in reversing biliary hyperplasia, fatty
changes, and necrosis. Studies showed that oral administration of curcumin in
instances of diabetes, cancers, gastrointestinal disorders and neurological diseases.
Curcumin may also be applied topically to counteract inflammation and irritation
associated with inflammatory skin conditions and allergies. Curcumin’s ability to
inhibit carcinogenesis at three stages: tumor promotion, angiogenesis, and tumor
growth.This review focuses on the medicinal and pharmacological benefits of
turmeric in prevention and treatment of diseases. The information was collected
from articles that have been published in pubmed and which are available online.

Full text

PharmaInterScience │ www.pharmainterscience.com 17 Int J Pharm Biomed Sci. 2014;5(1):17-23
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Int J Pharm Biomed Sci. 2014;5(1):17-23
ISSN No: 0976-5263
Review article
Medicinal and pharmacological properties of Turmeric (Curcuma
longa): A review
Abstract
Turmeric or Curcuma longa, is a perennial herb and member of the
Zingiberaceae (ginger) family, and is cultivated extensively in Asian countries. The
rhizome, the portion of the plant used medicinally as a yellow powder which is used
as a flavor in many cuisines and as a medicines to treat many diseases particularly as
an anti-inflammatory and for the treatment of flatulence, jaundice, menstrual
difficulties, hematuria, hemorrhage, and colic or can be applied as an ointment to
treat many skin diseases. The active constituents of turmeric are the flavonoid
curcumin (diferuloylmethane) and various volatile oils, including tumerone,
atlantone, and zingiberone. Water and fat soluble extracts of turmeric and its
curcumin component exhibit strong antioxidant activity, comparable to vitamins C
and E. Turmeric’s hepatoprotective effect is mainly a result of its antioxidant
properties resulting in enhanced cellular resistance to oxidative damage as well as its
ability to decrease the formation of proinflammatory cytokines. Curcumin
administration significantly decreased liver injury in test animals compared to
controls and Turmeric extract also inhibited fungal aflatoxin production by 90% in
addition to the role of turmeric and curcumin in reversing biliary hyperplasia, fatty
changes, and necrosis. Studies showed that oral administration of curcumin in
instances of diabetes, cancers, gastrointestinal disorders and neurological diseases.
Curcumin may also be applied topically to counteract inflammation and irritation
associated with inflammatory skin conditions and allergies. Curcumin’s ability to
inhibit carcinogenesis at three stages: tumor promotion, angiogenesis, and tumor
growth.This review focuses on the medicinal and pharmacological benefits of
turmeric in prevention and treatment of diseases. The information was collected
from articles that have been published in pubmed and which are available online.
Key words: Medicinal plant, Anticancer, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant,
Hepatoprotective agent.
Received: 24 Mar 2014 / Revised: 30 Mar 2014 / Accepted: 30 Mar 2014 / Online publication: 04 Apr 2014
Citation: Louay Labban. Medicinal and pharmacological properties of Turmeric (Curcuma longa): A review. Int J Pharm Biomed
Sci. 2014;5(1):17-23.
Copyright: © 2014 Louay Labban. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution-Non Commercial-ShareAlike License, which permits unrestricted non commercial use, distribution, and reproduction
in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
1. INTRODUCTION
Curcuma longa, or turmeric is a perennial herb and
member of the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family and is
cultivated extensively in Asia mostly in India and China. The
rhizome, the portion of the plant used medicinally, yields a
yellow powder. Dried Curcuma longa is the source of
turmeric, the ingredient that gives curry powder its
characteristic yellow color. It has many names such as
Curcum in the Arab region, Indian saffron, Haridra (Sanskrit,
Ayurvedic), Jianghuang (yellow ginger in Chinese), Kyoo or
Ukon (Japanese) [1].
Turmeric has been used in Asian cuisines for both its
flavor and color and in the Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine
particularly as an anti-inflammatory and for the treatment of
jaundice, menstrual difficulties, hematuria, hemorrhage, and
colic. It is official in the Pharmacopoeia of China as well as
in other Asian countries such as Japan and Korea and its
Louay Labban*
Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health
Sciences, University of Kalamoon, Deir
attyah, P.O.Box 30440, Damascus, Syria
*Correspondence:
Prof. Louay Labban
Tel: +963 992553309
E-mail: drlouay@gmail.com

Medicinal and pharmacological properties of Turmeric
PharmaInterScience │ www.pharmainterscience.com 18 Int J Pharm Biomed Sci. 2014;5(1):17-23
usage covers a wide range of health indications. In China it is
ingested orally and applied topically for urticaria and skin
allergy, viral hepatitis, inflammatory conditions of joints,
sore throat and wounds [2].
Oral administration is the main route of administration for
Curcuma longa, it can also be used topically and via
inhalation (Ayurvedic tradition) or can be applied topically
for the treatment of acne, wounds, boils, bruises, blistering,
ulcers, eczema, insect bites, parasitic infections, hemorrhages
and skin diseases like herpes zoster and pemphigus [3].
The active constituents of turmeric are the flavonoid
Curcuminoids which is a mixture of curcumin
(diferuloylmethane), monodexmethoxycurcumin and
bisdesmethoxycurcumin Curcumin makes up approximately
90% of the curcuminoid content in turmeric. Other
constituents include sugars, proteins, and resins. The best-
researched active constituent is curcumin, which comprises
0.3-5.4% of raw turmeric [4].
Turmeric is comprised of a group of three curcuminoids:
curcumin (diferuloylmethane), demethoxycurcumin, and
bisdemethoxycurcumin (Fig.1), as well as volatile oils
(tumerone, atlantone, and zingiberone), sugars, proteins, and
resins. The Curcumin is a lipophilic polyphenol that is nearly
insoluble in water but is quite stable in the acidic pH of the
stomach [5].
Fig.1.Structural formula of three curcuminoids
The phenolic groups in the structure of curcumin explain
the ability of curcumin to eliminate oxygen-derived free
radicals. The free radicals which can be eliminated by
curcumin are hydroxyl radical, singlet oxygen, superoxide
radical , nitrogen dioxide and NO [6].
With regard to pharmacokinetic, studies have
demonstrated that 40-85% of an oral dose of curcumin passes
through the gastrointestinal tract unchanged. Due to its low
rate of absorption, curcumin is often formulated with
bromelain for increased absorption and enhanced anti-
inflammatory effect [7].
This review focuses on the medicinal and
pharmacological properties of turmeric as anti-inflammatory,
antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anticarcinogenic, antidiabetic,
antimicrobial, antidepressant in addition to its use in
cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal and neurological
disorders.
2. MEDICINAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL
PROPERTIES OF TURMERIC
2.1. Anti-inflammatory properties
Oral administration of curcumin in instances of acute
inflammation was found to be as effective as cortisone or
phenylbutazone. Oral administration of Curcuma longa
significantly reduced inflammatory swelling [8]. C. longa’s
anti-inflammatory properties may be attributed to its ability
to inhibit both biosynthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins
from arachidonic acid, and neutrophil function during
inflammatory states.
Curcuminoids also inhibit LOX, COX, phospholipases,
leukotrienes, prostaglandins, thromboxane, nitric oxide
elastase, hyaluronidase, collagenase, monocyte
chemoattractant protein-1, interferon inducible protein, TNF
and interleukin-12. They also decrease prostaglandin
formation and inhibit leukotriene biosynthesis via the
lipoxygenase pathway [9].
An RCT investigated the effect of a combination of
480mg curcumin and 20mg quercetin (per capsule) on
delayed graft rejection (DGR) in 43 kidney transplant
patients. Of 39 participants who completed the study, two of
14 in the control group experienced DGR compared to zero
in either treatment group. Early function (significantly
decreased serum creatinine 48 hours post-transplant) was
achieved in 43% of subjects in the control group, 71% of
those in the lowdose treatment group. Since the amount of
quercetin in the compound was minimal, the majority of
benefit is thought to be due to curcumin’s anti-inflammatory
and antioxidant activity. Likely mechanisms for improved
early function of transplanted kidneys include induction of
the hemeoxygenase enzyme, and proinflammatory cytokines,
and scavenging of free radicals associated with tissue damage
[10].
2.2. Antioxidant properties
Water and fat-soluble extracts of turmeric and its
curcumin component exhibit strong antioxidant activity,
comparable to vitamins C and E. A study of ischemia
demonstrated that curcumin pretreatment decreased
ischemia-induced changes in the heart [11]. An in vitro study
measuring the effect of curcumin on endothelial heme
oxygenase-1, an inducible stress protein, was conducted

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utilizing bovine aortic endothelial cells. Incubation with
curcumin resulted in enhanced cellular resistance to oxidative
damage [12].
Nagabhushan et al. 1987 [13] tested curcumin against
tobacco products and several environmental mutagens in a
Salmonella/microsome test with or without Aroclor 1254-
induced rat liver homogenate (S-9 mix), in order to determine
the difference between mutagens. Curcumin inhibited the
mutagenicity of bidi smoke condensate, cigarette smoke
condensate and masheri (a tobacco product) and tobacco
extracts in a dose-dependent manner. Curcumin is only
antimutagenic against mutagens which require metabolic
activation.
Curcumin was found to block cyclosporine A-resistant
phorbol myristate acetate + anti-CD28 pathway of T-cell
proliferation [14]. In addition, curcumin reduces the
testicular damage caused by exposure to di-n-butylphthalate
(DBP), by increase in Glutathion (GSH), testosterone levels
and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity and
decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. These properties
may be due to intrinsic antioxidative abilities of curcumin
[15].
Farombi et al. 2007 carried out a study to determine the
ameliorative properties of curcumin and kolaviron (a
biflavonoid from the seeds of Garcinia kola) on the di-n-
butylphthalate (DBP)-induced testicular damage in rats The
level of glutathione (GSH), the glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity and the decreased
testosterone levels were significantly increased. The
increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were decreased,
which is in agreement with [16]. This may be due to the
intrinsic antioxidative abilities to combat oxidative damage
induced by DBP.
Mice exposed to human prostate cancer cells were treated
with curcumin. The curcumin-treated animals showed a
decrease in microvessel density and cell proliferation and an
increase in apoptosis compared to controls [17]. Incubation
of endothelial cells from bovine aorta with curcumin (in a
concentration range of 5-15μM) showed induction of heme
oxygenase expression. Heme oxygenase is an enzyme that
reacts to oxidative stress, by producing the antioxidant
biliverdin, and it enhances resistance to oxidative damage to
cells [18].
Clinical research on curcumin’s therapeutic benefit for
pancreatitis is limited and has primarily focused on its
antioxidant properties. However, research indicates the
inflammatory response plays a critical role in development of
pancreatitis and subsequent tissue damage. For this reason, it
seems likely an anti-inflammatory agent like curcumin,
effective against a variety of inflammatory molecular targets
and shown to decrease inflammatory markers in an animal
model of pancreatitis. One pilot study examined the effect of
curcumin for tropical pancreatitis in patients [19].
Treatment effect on pain patterns as well as erythrocyte
malonylaldehyde (MDA; an indicator of lipid peroxidation)
and glutathione (GSH) were assessed at baseline and after six
weeks. In the curcumin group there was a significant
reduction in MDA levels. Further research is needed to
determine the role of lipid peroxidation in pain and other
symptomology associated with pancreatitis [20].
2.3. Hepatoprotective properties
Turmeric is known to have a hepatoprotective
characteristic similar to silymarin. Studies have demonstrated
turmeric’s hepatoprotective properties from a variety of
hepatotoxic injuries, including carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)
[21] galactosamine and acetaminophen (paracetamol) [22].
Turmeric’s hepatoprotective effect is mainly a result of its
antioxidant properties, as well as its ability to decrease the
formation of proinflammatory cytokines. Curcumin
administration significantly decreased liver injury [23].
Turmeric reduced infection with Aspergillus parasiticus
and inhibited fungal aflatoxin production by 90%. Turmeric
and curcumin also reversed biliary hyperplasia, fatty
changes, and necrosis induced by aflatoxin production.
Sodium curcuminate, a salt of curcumin, also exerts
choleretic properties by increasing biliary excretion of bile
salts, cholesterol, and bilirubin, as well as increasing bile
solubility, therefore possibly preventing and treating
cholelithiasis. Curcumin also protects cells against lipid
peroxidation induced by paracetamol. This may be due to the
antioxidative properties of the phenolic groups of curcumin
[24].
Curcumin was found to decrease serum aspartate
transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activity, and free fatty
acid, cholesterol and phospholipid levels. Tacrine is known
for its T-cell destructive activity and hepatotoxicity. In a
study with cultures of human hepatocytes, which had been
destroyed by tacrine, curcumin showed to be nearly ten times
more effective than the regular treatment, ascorbic acid [25].
The effect of curcumin on alcohol induced hepatotoxicity
in alcoholic rats was studied by Rajakrishnan et al.1998 [26].
Curcumin administration resulted in a decrease of serum
aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activity. The
levels of serum free fatty acids, cholesterol and
phospholipids decreased as well.
2.4. Anticarcinogenic properties
Animal research demonstrates inhibition at all three
stages of carcinogenesis-initiation, promotion, and
progression. During initiation and promotion, curcumin
modulates transcription factors controlling phase I and II
detoxification of carcinogens; [27] down-regulates
proinflammatory cytokines, free radical-activated
transcription factors, and arachidonic acid metabolism
vicyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways; and scavenges
free radicals [28].
Studies involving rats and mice, as well as in vitro studies
utilizing human cell lines, have demonstrated curcumin’s

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ability to inhibit carcinogenesis at three stages: tumor
promotion, angiogenesis, and tumor growth [29]. Turmeric
and curcumin are also capable of suppressing the activity of
several common mutagens and carcinogens in a variety of
cell types in both in vitro and in vivo studies [30]. The
anticarcinogenic properties of turmeric and curcumin are due
to direct antioxidant and free-radical scavenging properties,
as well as their ability to indirectly increase glutathione
levels, thereby aiding in hepatic detoxification of mutagens
and carcinogens, and inhibiting nitrosamine formation and
Curcumin also induces apoptosis of cancer cells and it
inhibits angiogenesis [31].
The efficacy of curcumin or turmeric extract in reducing
chemically-induced tumours was studied by [32].
Application of both curcumin and turmeric extract during
carcinogenesis and promotion resulted in less papilloma
production, compared to controls. This indicates that both
curcumin and turmeric extract produce their best properties
during tumour promotion.
The effect of dietary curcumin (0.2% and 1.0%) on 7,12-
dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA) and 12,0-
tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-promoted skin tumor
formation was investigated by Limtrakul et al. They found a
significant lower number of papillomas in the curcumin
treated group compared to the control group. The enhanced
expression of ras-p21 and fos-p62 oncogenes were decreased
dose dependently in the curcumin treated group [33].
The effect of Curcuma longa on myocardial apoptosis in
experimentally induced myocardial ischemic-reperfusion
injury was investigated by Mohanty et al. 2006 [34].
Curcuma longa demonstrated significant anti-apoptotic
property, which might contribute to the observed
preservation in cardioprotective properties and cardiac
function.
Azuine et al. investigated the protective effect of turmeric
extract on chemically induced mutagenicity in Salmonella
typhimurium strains and clastogenicity in mammalian bone
marrow in female Swiss mice. The anticarcinogenic
properties were assessed in the benzo (a) pyrene induced
forestomach neoplasia model. Aqueous turmeric extract
exhibited antimutagenic activity against direct acting
mutagens and also inhibited the mutagenicity of benzo (a)
pyrene in Salmonella typhimurium strains. Treatment with
the aqueous tumeric extract inhibited the development of
forestomach tumors induced by benzo (a) pyrene
significantly. These findings were all dose-dependent [35].
There is some evidence that curcumin inhibits the activity
of certain chemotherapy drugs. Research reveals curcumin
decreased camptothecininduced death of cultured breast
cancer cells and prevented cyclophosphamide-induced breast
tumor regression in mice [36]. Curcumin might also interfere
with the absorption and efficacy of the chemotherapy drug
irinotecan, which is used to treat colon cancer. On the other
hand, curcumin may enhance the effects of some
chemotherapy drugs. In a mouse xenograft model of human
breast cancer, curcumin in conjunction with paclitaxel
(Taxol) significantly inhibited breast cancer metastasis to the
lung to a greater degree than either curcumin or paclitaxel
alone [37].
2.5. Antidiabetic properties
A hexane extract (containing ar-turmerone), ethanolic
extract (containing containing ar-turmerone, curcumin,
demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin) and
ethanolic extract from the residue of the hexane extraction
(containing curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and
bisdemethoxycurcumin) were found to dose-dependently
stimulate adipocyte differentiation. The results indicate that
turmeric ethanolic extract containing both curcuminoids and
sesquiterpenoids is more strongly hypoglycemic than either
curcuminoids or sesquiterpenoids [38].
Wickenberg et al. 2010 [39] studied the effects of
turmeric on postprandial plasma glucose and insulin in
healthy subjects; they found out that the ingestion of 6g C.
longa had no significant effect on the glucose response. The
change in insulin was significantly higher 30min and 60min
after the OGTT including C. longa. The insulin AUCs were
also significantly higher after the ingestion of C. longa after
the OGTT.
2.6. Antimicrobial properties
Turmeric extract and the essential oil of Curcuma longa
inhibit the growth of a variety of bacteria, parasites, and
pathogenic fungi. A study of chicks infected with the caecal
parasite Eimera maxima demonstrated that diets
supplemented with turmeric resulted in a reduction in small
intestinal lesion scores and improved weight gain [40].
Another study, in which guinea pigs were infected with
eitherdermatophytes, pathogenic molds, or yeast, found that
topically applied turmeric oil inhibited dermatophytes and
pathogenic fungi. Improvements in lesions were observed in
the dermatophyte- and fungi-infected guinea pigs, and at
seven days post-turmeric application the lesions disappeared.
Curcumin has also been found to have moderate activity
against Plasmodium falciparum and Leishmania major
organisms [41].
Khattak et al. 2005 [42] studied the antifungal,
antibacterial, phytotoxic, cytotoxic and insecticidal activity
of an ethanolic extract of turmeric. The extract showed
antifungal activity towards Trichophyton longifusus and
Microsporum canis and weak antibacterial activity against
Staphylococcus aureus. Toxic activity was observed against
Lemna minor.
The Curcuma longa treated rabbit group showed a
significant higher mean value for contraction of the wound
compared to controls. Furthermore the wounds showed less
inflammation and an increasing trend in the formation of
collagen [43].

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2.7. Antidepressant properties
The effect of curcumin was investigated in chronic mild
stress (CMS) model. In comparison with normal rats, rats
suffering the CMS procedure have a significant lower intake
of sucrose, increased IL-6, TNF-α levels, CRF- and cortisol
levels. Treatment with ethanolic extract increased the sucrose
intake to normal control levels, reduced the CMS-induced
increase in serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels and reduced the
CRF levels in serum and medulla oblongata to lower than
normal. It also lowered the cortisol levels in serum to normal
levels. Turmeric has antidepressant properties mediated
through inhibition of monoamine oxidize A [44]. Curcuma
longa ethanolic extract reversed the decrease in serotonin,
noradrenalin and dopamine concentrations as well as the
increase in serotonin turnover, cortisol levels and the in
serum corticotrophin-releasing factor [45].
Xu et al. 2006 [46] investigated the effect of orally
administered curcumin on behavior in a chronic stress model
of depression in rats. The antidepressant imipramine was
used as a control. Curcumin administration showed similar
properties as imipramine. These findings suggest that the
properties of chronic administration of curcumin on the
behavior of chronic stressed rats may be related to the
modulating properties of the dysfunction of the
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, through selective
increase in brain-derived neurotropic factor in the frontal
cortex and the hippocampus of the rats.
2.8. Cardiovascular diseases
Turmeric’s protective properties on the cardiovascular
system include lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels,
decreasing susceptibility of low density lipoprotein (LDL) to
lipid peroxidation and inhibiting platelet aggregation [47].
Turmeric extract demonstrated decreased susceptibility of
LDL to lipid peroxidation, in addition to lower plasma
cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Turmeric extract’s effect
on cholesterol levels may be due to decreased cholesterol
uptake in the intestines and increased conversion of
cholesterol to bile acids in the liver. Inhibition of platelet
aggregation by C. longa constituents is thought to be via
potentiation of prostacyclin synthesis and inhibition of
thromboxane synthesis [48].
Curcumin mobilizes α-tocopherol from adipose tissue,
this results in protection against oxidative damage produced
during atherosclerosis development. Curcumin increases
VLDL cholesterol transport in plasma, which results in
increasing levels of α-tocopherol. Curcumin has shown to
mobilize α-tocopherol from adipose tissue, thus protecting
their body against oxidative damage produced during the
development of atherosclerosis. Also more LDL cholesterol
could be transported in plasma, increasing levels of α-
tocopherol. Overall the fatty acids in the animals were less
susceptible to oxidation in the vessel wall [49]. It was
observed that oral intake of 500mg/d curcumin for 7 days
resulted in a significant decrease in the level of serum lipid
peroxides (33%) and increase in HDL cholesterol (29%) and
a decrease in level of total serum cholesterol (12%) [50].
2.9. Gastrointestinal disorders
Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties and therapeutic
benefit have been demonstrated for a variety of
gastrointestinal disorders, including dyspepsia, Helicobacter
pylori infection, peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome,
Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.
2.9.1. Dyspepsia and gastric ulcer
In a phase II clinical trial involving 45 subjects with
endoscopically diagnosed peptic ulcers were given 600mg
curcumin five times daily for 12 weeks. Ulcers were absent
in 12 patients (48%) after four weeks, in 18 patients after
eight weeks, and in 19 patients (76%) after 12 weeks. The
remaining 20 patients, also given curcumin, had no
detectable ulcerations at the start of the study, but were
symptomatic-erosions, gastritis, and dyspepsia. Within 1-2
weeks abdominal pain and other symptoms had decreased
significantly [51].
Kim et al. 2005 [52] investigated the protective effect of
turmeric ethanolic extract against gastric ulcers by blocking
H2 histamine receptors (H2R) of male Sprague-Dawley
(pylorus-ligated) rats. The effect of Curcuma longa extract
was compared to the properties of ranitidine. Curcuma was
found to protect the gastric mucosal layer as effective as
ranitidine. Orally administerd ethanolic extract inhibited
gastric acid, gastric juice secretion and ulcer formation
comparable to the properties of ranitidine.
Rafatullah et al. 1990 [53] investigated the antiulcer
activity of an ethanolic extract of turmeric. Administration of
turmeric extract led to a significant decrease in ulcer index
and acidity of stomach contents. Pretreatment with the
turmeric extract reduced the intensity of ulceration.
Hypothermic-restraint stress reduction of gastric wall mucus
was inhibited by turmeric extract treatment and reduced the
severity of lesions induced by various necrotizing agents.
2.9.2. Irritable bowel syndrome
In patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) the most
common symptoms are abdominal pain, bloating, altered
bowel habits, and increased stool frequency. In an eight-week
pilot study of IBS patients. After four weeks, those groups
experienced a 53% and 60% reduction in IBS prevalence. In
post-study analysis, abdominal pain and discomfort scores
were reduced by 22 and 25% [54].
2.9.3. Inflammatory bowel disease
Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are the
two primary forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

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Holt et al., 2005 [55] conducted a pilot study to examine the
effect of curcumin therapy in patients with IBD who had
previously received standard UC or CD therapy.
Hematological and biochemical blood analysis, erythrocyte
sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) (the
latter two inflammatory indicators), sigmoidoscopy, and
biopsy were all performed at baseline and at the study end.
Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI), CRP, ESR,
hematological blood analysis, and kidney function was
assessed in all patients at baseline and end of study. In the
proctitis group all five patients improved by study’s end as
indicated by a global score, and all five subjects
demonstrated normal ESR, CRP, and serologic indices of
inflammation after two months. In the CD group, CDAI
scores decreased by an average of 55 points, and CRP and
ESR decreased in four of five patients. The authors
concluded that curcumin plus standard therapy was more
effective in maintaining remission than placebo plus standard
UC treatment [56].
2.10. Neurological disorders
Studies in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
indicate a direct effect of curcumin in decreasing the amyloid
pathology of AD [57]. Based on many studies, results have
shown that curcumin possessed multiple actions in brain.
Curcumin can be a future drug of therapy for the treatment of
various neurological disorders such as major depression,
tardive dyskinesia and diabetic neuropathy [58].
2.11. Pregnancy/neonates
Singh and Aggarwal 1995 [59] studied curcumin on
hepatic biotransformation system enzymes. Turmeric and
curcumin induced a significant increase in hepatic levels of
glutathione S-transferase (GST) and sulfhydryl (SH) levels.
Cytochrome b5 and cytochrome P450 levels were
significantly elevated as well. This indicates that turmeric
and/or curcumin metabolites can be transferred through
lactation.
3. CONCLUSION
Curcumin can be considered a great potential therapeutic
agent for a variety of inflammatory conditions and cancer
types. Consequently, there is extensive interest in its
therapeutic potential as evidenced by the number of ongoing
phase II and III clinical trials. The primary obstacle to
utilizing curcumin therapeutically has been its limited
systemic bioavailability, but researchers are actively involved
in trying to find the most efficient method of application.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no affiliations with or
involvement in any organization or entity with any financial
interest, or non-financial interest in the subject matter or
materials discussed in this manuscript.
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