Various scientist and research workers reported a lot of scientific works on pharmacological Properties of turmeric were discussed in Table: 1.

Potential Uses of Turmeric

Turmeric has been used for over thousands of years in India, where it was most likely to be used as a dye. Indian vaidyas and Hakims as well as tribal people since ago, have developed and recorded the knowledge of turmeric uses as a precious gift of nature to mankind. Since ancient times, turmeric has been widely used as a traditional medicine and for beauty care. In Ayurvedic system of Indian medicine, turmeric is an important herbal medicine. Turmeric has been used as a foodstuff and colorant, cosmetic, medicine, and folk medicine will be discussed as follows,

Turmeric as foodstuff and colorant

In most of the Asiatic countries the largest quantity of Turmeric is utilized as a food adjunct in vegetable, meat and fish preparations. Turmeric is necessary culinary ingredient gives musky flavour and yellow colour to curries. There are hardly few recipes in which Turmeric Powder is not used in Indian Dishes. Turmeric can be used as a substitute for saffron hence it is called as Indian Saffron. It is used to flavour and coloring cheeses and butter, margarine, pickles, mustard, liquor, fruit drinks, sauces, cakes, biscuits, popcorn, cereals, jellies, fruit dishes and other foodstuffs.^[69] Turmeric powder is one of the most significant coloring materials of India in all kinds of cuisine to give light to golden yellow colour. Previously, in India, turmeric was largely used for dyeing wool, silk and cotton, to impart a yellow shade, in an acid batch. It is still used to dyeing cotton. The dye is also employed as coloring material in pharmacy, confectionery, rice milling and food industries. For thousands of years it has been used in the Hindu religious ceremonies. Considerable quantities of turmeric are converted as kumkum used for tilak which stands for wealth, fortune, prosperity and opulence. ^[70]

Turmeric as cosmetic

Turmeric paste smear applied on face and limbs during a bath is found to clear the skin and beautify face. It also helps in maintaining the elasticity of the skin and prevents stretch marks. Its antiseptic and healing properties are said to be both a preventive cures for that much feared problem of adolescence-pimples. It is also known to discourage unwanted hair on female skin. Regular washing with turmeric reduces facial hair growth significantly. Eventually, turmeric has globally attracted for its cosmetic and therapeutic use. The turmeric powder has a characteristic of aroma and bitter-warm taste with orange-yellow to dark-yellow in colour. Turmeric is used in many celebrations of Hindus. Especially in Hindu wedding brides where it is applied along with sandal wood paste before the bath for shining look. Turmeric paste mixed with sandalwood powder applied to the face can greatly reduce the appearance of acne. New born babies also rubbed with turmeric on their forehead for good luck. Protective properties of turmeric have made it accepted after ingredient in many cosmetics preparations such as sunscreens. Turmeric is also very effective tonic and a blood purifier. It is also skin-friendly and constitutes an important ingredient of many creams and lotions. Turmeric is used for spots caused due to pigmentation or blotches and also for diseases like eczema. ^[71,72,73]

Turmeric as Medicine

From many years knowledge of turmeric and its use as medicine is continuously increasing. Turmeric is considered as a digestive bitter and a carminative. It is a cholagogue, stimulating bile production in the liver and encouraging excretion of bile via the gallbladder which improves the digestion of fats. ^[74] It is taken as the blood purifier and is very useful in the common cold, leprosy, intermittent, dropsy, inflammation and wound healing.^[^75] Turmeric is anti-inflammatory to the mucous membranes, which coat the throat, lungs, stomach and intestines. Regular use of turmeric can benefit from Colitis, Crohn's disease, diarrhea, and post-giardia. Turmeric extracts containing curcuminoids prevent rheumatoid arthritis. The rhizome of the turmeric plant is highly aromatic and antiseptic. It is even used for contraception, swelling, insect stings, wounds, whooping cough, inflammation, internal injuries, pimples, injuries, as a skin tonic. Modern scientific investigation proves that turmeric can cure congregation of diseases, also they found that turmeric control the growth of various types of cancer. Turmeric is used for the treatment of skin cancer or pre cancerous skin conditions. Turmeric can be helpful in preventing the obstruction of arteries that can gradually cause a heart attack or stroke. Turmeric may also prevent platelet build up along the walls of an injured blood vessel. Sweetened milk boiled with the turmeric is the popular remedy for cold and cough. Turmeric also helps to relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis because of its ability to reduce pain and disability. It is an antispasmodic to smooth muscles so it reduces digestive and menstrual cramping. Turmeric is useful as an external antibiotic in preventing bacterial infection in wounds. ^[76] Scientific findings about turmeric show that it can actually prevent leukemia by protecting DNA from harmful pollutants. Turmeric is also known to minimize the ill effects of processed foods as well as smoking. Other therapeutic activities of turmeric includes: Alterative, analgesic, antibacterial, anti-allergic, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, appetizer, astringent, cardiovascular, carminative, cholagogue, digestive, diuretic, stimulant, diabetes, digestion, food poisoning, gallstones, indigestion and wounds. ^[77]

Turmeric as Ayurvedic Medicine

Besides flavoring foodstuff, to purify the blood and skin conditions remedy is probably the most common use of Turmeric in Ayurveda. Grandmothers often prefers to apply a paste of turmeric to minor cuts, bruises and bumps as it reduces the swelling without the discomfort. Turmeric is used for epilepsy and bleeding disorders, skin diseases, to purify the body-mind, and to help the lungs expel Kapha. Turmeric decreases Kapha and so is used to remove mucus in the throat, watery discharges like leucorrhea, and any pus in the eyes, ears, or in wounds, etc. Its various antiseptic properties are perfect for using it for minor cuts, wounds and abrasions and it helps in quickening the healing process. In the Ayurvedic medicines, turmeric occupies an important place, as an ingredient in the preparation of medicinal oils, ointments and poultice. The hot milk along with turmeric relieves the throat and fights infection in the throat. Turmeric powder mixed with water is also known to help diarrhea. Decoction of raw turmeric in water is used to teat eye infections such as Conjunctivitis. Turmeric juice mixed with honey is useful in anemia. Paste of turmeric with salt and mustard oil is used to rub the teeth and gums to overcome many dental problems. ^[78] A pinch of Turmeric with cow ghee and apply it to the mucus lining of nose to stop the sniffles. It also stops nosebleeds, helps to clear the sinuses, restore a more acute sense of smell, and helps to purify the mind and brain. ^[79]

Turmeric as folk medicines

In folk medicine, turmeric has been used in therapeutic preparations over the centuries in different parts of the world. A paste made of fresh rhizome is applied on the head in cases of vertigo. Turmeric and alum are blown into the ear in chronic otorrhea. The flowers, pasted, are used in ringworm, other parasitic skin diseases and gonorrhea. A decoction of the rhizomes is applied to relieve cataract and purulent ophthalmia. Indians apply roots to leech bites. Fumes of burning turmeric directed into the nostrils cause a copious mucous discharge and relieve the congestion. ^[80]

Other uses of turmeric

Turmeric provides a natural dye to colour cloth, leather, silk, palm fibre, wool and cotton. It is used as a chemical indicator, it changes colour in alkaline and acid substrates. Dried Turmeric paper used in the identification of alkaloids. Yellow essential oil obtained from turmeric rhizomes is used in flavouring spice products and in perfumery. Turmeric oil and oleoresin are also used to impart the flavour in food and perfume industries. In recent years, turmeric powder is effective against nuclear polyhedrosis virus causing grasserie disease in silkworm. ^[81] The dye is also employed as coloring material in pharmacy, confectionery, rice milling and food industries. Turmeric is also used as a colorant – known for its brilliant yellow shade. It also use as a coloring material in the paints and varnishes industry. Turmeric is used in products that are packaged to protect them from sunlight.

Recent Researches

Anti-inflammatory activity of turmeric oil has been reported by Ramchandran et al ^[82] on perper’s model. Mishra et al ^[83] reported that the volatile oil of Curcuma longa is effectively effective for the anti-inflammatory and anti-hyaluronidase action. They suggested that antioxidtive effect of the volatile oil has been attributed partly to its anti-hyauranidase enzyme by the oil. Further the cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxident activity curcumin 1-3 from Curcuma longa was studied by Ramsewk et al ^[84] They observed good activity against leukemia, colon, CNS melanoma, renal and breast cancer, leaf oil of Curcuma longa also have shown potent anti-inflammatory activity (as shown by phenylbutazone) is the carrageemin induced rat paw edema and cotton pellet method in male albino rats.

Another group of scientist demonstrated action of curcuma on liver. Deshpande et al ^[85] carried out study on hepato-protective activity in rats. They reported that pretreatment of Curcuma longa shows reduction in bilirubin, cholesterol AST, ALT and alkaline phosphate activity in CCl₄ induced liver toxicity in animal model.In another report by Rajasekharan et al ^[86] showed the protective effect of curcumin in ethanol induced liver toxicity. While Kandarkar et al ^[87] reported that dietary administration of turmeric or ethanolic extract of turmeric for 14 days at cancer preventive doses found to be hepatotoxic in mice, observed by histopathological and ultrastructural studies. Significant hypolipidamic action of 50% ethanolic extract in rabbit Deshpande et al ^[88] demonstrated the marked reduction in lipid profile of body by curcuma. In his classical experiment he gave 1 gm. turmeric extract (t.i.d) for the span of 15 days. This causes a key reduction in total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL content. Another study on Curcuma longa extract on lipid profile showed it helps in lowering the risk of artherosclerosis.

Turmeric was found to be effective in treatment of allergy. Studies on antiallergic activity was carried out on various extract of Curcuma longa rhizome, the ethyl acetate fraction was found to most potent antiallergic agent amongst all extracts. This cause remarkable inhabitation of histamine from mast cells, crude extract of fresh rhizome curcuma found to possess good COX – inhibitory action in an in vitro bioassay test. Turmeric established as supernacular remedy for wound healing since from antiquity. The local application of Curcuma longa powder even efficiently heals septic wounds in diabetic patient, reported by Pandya et al ^[89] turmeric also reports significant antimicrobial activity.

Negi et al ^[90] demonstrated that turmeron and curlone, a components of turmeric oil possess excellent antibacterial action against a wide range which includes B. cereus, B. Coagulans , B. subtilis, S. areus, E. coli, Pseudomonas aruginosa. Other studies on Curcuma longa and its leaf oil extract reveals curcuma oil has sovereign antibacterial activity against various species of shigella and most pathogenic gram positive-negative and bacteria, turmeric also induct predominant antifungal activity. Kapoor et al ^[91] reported the fresh juice and extract of curcuma arrest the growth of A. niger and penicillium digitatum in usual concentration. Another study of has been reported Curcuma longa leaf oil extract posses very efficient fungicidal action against C. albicans and cryptocus neoformans strains.

Studies by Kim et al ^[92] narrate about its chemoprotective action. They reported curcumin a dietary pigment in turmeric, possess anticarcinogenic antimetastatic properties. Another study reported that turmeric significantly inhibits taumour burden and tumour incident in tumour model. Oral administration of curcumin, due to its antioxidative and hypolipdamic action this play a neuroprotective role against ethanol induced brain injury reported by Rajkrishnan et al ^[93]

Bhagat et al ^[94] reported that curcuma extract possess significant antifertility and antispermagenic activity in albino rats upon long term administration (500mg/kg/body wt/rat/day) another study postulate the antiandrogenic effect of Curcuma longa ethanolic extract (50%) in rats at a dose of 1.5-2 g/kg for 60 days. While Deitelhoft et al ^[95] reported turmeric Root extract (TRE) possess antiemetic, carminative and spasmolytic effect and relief from constipation. The report of American society on chemistry and Industry strongly proves curcumin as an excellent radial scavenger which helps it making effective in fighting against cancer.

There are a number of attempts have been made to explore its possible other action. Lal et al ^[96] reported that prolong term use of curcumin (orally) gives symptomatic relief from Idiopathic inflammatory orbital pseudotumers. M.I.I.L. center for Biochemical Technology report says that curcumin play impotant role in immune system, curcumin activate NF-Kappa B cells and promotes adhesions of neutrophils. Lee et al ^[97] studied formation of the aflatoxin B, reductase product aflitoxicol, by chicken liver cystol was strongly inhibited by curcumin.

Suresh et al ^[98] formulated an herbal preparation from curcuma and studying the release pattern from formulation, in order to optimize the efficacy of product. While another study reflects the possible protective role of curcuminoid on epidermal skin due to the condition arose by the free oxygen radical stress. Another important study reveals the faith of piperine like substance on pharmacokinetics profile of curcumin. The result of study shows dose of piperine enhances the absorption and bioavailability of curcumin in both rats and human beings. While Choudhary et al ^[99] reported that the use of curcumin play a radioprotective role in glycoxylase system whitch is vital for various biological functions. Curcuma also possesses a sound inhibitory action on Dopa oxidase and tynosinidase enzyme, responsible for degradation of neurotransmitters at synapse.

Xia et al ^[100] concluded that administration of the ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa could normalize behavioral, neurochemical and neuroendocrine alterations induced by swimming stress. Another study of Hexene extract of Curcuma comosa, done by Weerachayaphorn et al ^[101], shown that it gives protective effect against liver injury through successful suppression of plasma ALT (Alanin transaminase) and AST (Aspartet tranaminase).

Chen et al ^[102] studied anti-angiogenetic effect of essential oil from Curcuma zedoaria: Angiogenesis, a process in which new capillaries sprout from pre-existing vessels. This process is pretty active during menstrual cycle: speciﬁc physiological processes in the female reproductive system including ovulation, endometrial growth, implantation and placentation. Any factors resulting in angiogenesis blocked in final would, induce fetus loss in many species including humans, pigs, mice. Glutathione depletion and apoptosis: Curcumin doubles the total glutathione content in glucocorticoid treated rat thymocytes. Also Curcumin shows apoptosis in normal and cancer cells. Previously it was reported that in Jurkat cells curcumin induced nontypical apoptosis like pathway which was independent of mitochondria and caspase-3. But Piwocka et al ^[103] studied that due to glutathione depletion caused due to Curcumin, inhibits caspase-3 by attenuation of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation.

Anti-proliferative property of curcumin and its derivatives which was supposed to be due to the ability of curcumin to induce apoptosis in tumor cells by increasing mitochondrial membrane permeability. Ligeret et al ^[104] confirmed this possible mechanism and stated that curcumin induces mitochondrial swelling, collapse and release of cytochrome C which ultimately results in opening of Permeability Transition Pore (PTP). Vajragupta et al ^[105] examined anti-lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase (SOD): Manganese complex of curcumin exhibits great brain lipid protection from peroxidation as manganese complex is having more SOD activity than their corresponding anti-oxidant ligand. Similarly manganese complex curcumin shows highest inhibitory activity towards H₂O₂induced cell-damage.

Jain et al ^[106] carried out similar studies and stated that curcumin can reduce glycosylation of protein and lipid peroxidation in RBC model which is exposed to high glucose concentration. High glucose level results in increased oxidative stress from excessive oxygen radical production by auto oxidation of glucose. But curcumin scavenges the oxidative stress. Curcumin led to Protection of retinal cells from Light Induced Retinal Degeneration (LIRD) due to anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of curcumin. Similar study on selenium induced cataract due to oxidative stress and Ca⁺ ATPase inhibition was studied by R. Manikandan et al^[107] concluded that pretreatment with curcumin prevents free-radical induced cataract by lens calcium modulation.

Manikandan et al ^[108] examined cardiac cell protects from ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injuries. IR indicates oxidative stress, impaired mitochondrial activity and development of narcotic and apoptotic processes and increase in NF-kB nuclear translocation and JNK phosphorylation. Curcumin pre-treatment or post-treatment in IR, attenuates all the modifications.

Amphawan Aplsarlyakul et al ^[109] isolated and studied turmeric oil and curcumin from Curcuma longa. The antifungal activity was studied against isolates of dermatophytes, pathogenic molds and yeasts. The inhibitory activity of turmeric oil was tested in Trichophyton-induced dermatophytosis in guinea pigs. The results showed that isolates of dermatophytes and pathogenic moulds were inhibited by turmeric oil but uninhibited by curcumin. Isolates of yeasts tested proved to be insensitive to both turmeric oil and curcumin. They also observed turmeric oil shows improvement in lesions within 2-5 days and the lesions disappeared within 6-7 days.

CONCLUSION:

The present review article highlights the properties potential uses and recent researches on Curcuma longa. It is universally accepted turmeric used to treat various diversified physiological conditions. The therapeutic activities of turmeric includes anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, antiseptic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective and digestive activities. Traditional application and current researches reveals that the maximum potential of Curcuma longa is utilized as spice, in external application. Recent reports in experimental studies of Curcuma longa is effective in diseases related to liver heart, cancer and immunological disorders. Hence in future it is required to pinpoint studies related to such type of dangerous diseases. Further clinical studies are warranted if turmeric is to be employed in meeting human needs and improving human welfare. Phytochemical constituents of turmeric have revealed a large number of compounds, including curcumin, volatile oil, and curcuminoids, which have diverse pharmacological properties. In present scenario, there is an urgent need to utilize ancient knowledge of turmeric to its maximum potential in the field of medical and pharmaceutical sciences for novel and fruitful applications, because Curcuma longa is a valuable gift from nature.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

We would like to thanks Dr. Devanshu J Patel, Managing trustee Parul Trust for providing necessary infrastructure and we are also thankful to Dr. Rajesh K. S. Principal, Parul Institute of Pharmacy, Limda, Vadodara for offering valuable suggestions.

REFERENCES:

1. Bakhru HK. Herbs That Heal: Natural Remedies for Good Health. Orient Paperbacks, New Delhi. 1999; pp. 164–166.

2. Duke J. Turmeric-The Genus Curcuma, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants-Industrial Profiles. Eco Bot. 61(4);2007:397-398.

3. Ravindran PN, Ravindran K, Nirmal B and Sivaraman K. Turmeric: the genus Curcuma; Medicinal and aromatic plants-industrial profiles. CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group Boca Raton, FL. 2007; pp. 236.

4. Khanna NM. Turmeric-nature’s precious gift. Current Sci. 76(10);1999:1351-1356.

5. Nadkarni KM. Indian Materia Medica. Bombay: Popular Prakashan, 1976; pp. 418–419.

6. Kapoor LD. Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants. CRC Press, Boca Raton. 1990; pp. 149–150.

7. Lal B, Kapoor AK, Asthana OP, Agrawal PK, Prasad R, Kumar P and Srimal RC. Efficacy of curcumin in the management of chronic anterior uveitis. Phytother Res. 13;1999:318-322.

8. Deodhar SD, Sethi R and Srimal RC. Preliminary study on antirheumatic activity of curcumin (diferuloyl methane). Indian J Med Res71;1980:632-634.

9. Kuttan R, Sudheeran PC and Josph CD. Turmeric and curcumin as topical agents in cancer therapy. Tumori 73;1987:29-31.

10. Agrawal DK and Mishra PK. Curcumin and its analogues: potential anticancer agents. Med Res Rev.30;2010:818-860.

11. Itokawa H, Shi Q, Akiyama T, Morris-Natschke SL and Lee KH. Recent advances in the investigation of curcuminoids. Chin Med. 17;2008:3-11.

12. Dastur JF. Medicinal Plants of India and Pakistan. Treasure House of Books. Bombay. 1970.

13. Haddad M, Sauvain M and Deharo E. Curcuma as a parasiticidal agent: a review. Planta Med. 77;2011:672-678.

14. Zhu ZY. Flora Sichuanica. Sichuan Nationalities Publishing House. 1992; pp. 604-610.

15. Shiyou Li, Wei Yuan, Guangrui Deng, Ping Wang, Peiying Yang and Aggarwal BB. Chemical Composition and Product Quality Control of Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.): 28-54.

16. Jayaprakasha GK, Rao LJM and Sakariah KK. Antioxidant activities of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. Food Chem. 98;2006:720-724.

17. Dairam A, Limson JL, Walkins GM, Antunes E and Daya S. Curcuminoids, curcumin and demethoxycurcumin reduce lead induced memory deficits in male wistar rats. J Agric Food Chem. 55;2007:1039-1044.

18. Pfeiffer E, Hhle S, Solyom AS and Metzler M. Studies on the stability of turmeric constituents. J Food Engineer. 56;2003:257-259.

19. Li W, Feng JT, Xiao YS, Wang YQ, Xue XY and Liang XM. Three novel terpenoids from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa. J Asian Nat Prod Res. 11;2009:569-575.

20. Golding BT, Pombo E and Christopher JS. Turmerones: isolation from turmeric and their structure determination. J Chem Soc Chem Commun. 6;1982:363-364.

21. Ohshiro M, Kuroyanagi M and Ueno A. Structures of sesquiterpenes from Curcuma longa. Phytochemistry. 29;1990:2201-2205.

22. Anto RJ, Kuttan G, Babu KVD and Rajsekharan KN. Anti-inflammatory activity of natural and synthetic curcuminoids. Amala Research Bulletin. 16;1996:73-77.

23. Selvan RJ, Subramanion L, Guyatri R and Angyarkanni N. The Anti-oxidant activity of Curcuma longa. J Ethano-pharmacology. 47(2);1995:59-67.

24. Anto RJ, Kuttan G, Babu KVD and Rajsekharan KN. Anti-inflammatory activity of natural and synthetic curcuminoids. Amala Research Bulletin. 14;1994:60-65.

25. Rao MNA. Anti-oxidantproperties of Curcumin. Amala Research Bulletin. 16;1996:44-46.

26. Deter M, Siegers C, Muhl P and Hansel W. Cholerctic effect of Curcuminoids on an acute cyclosporine induced cholestasis in rats. Planta Medica. 65(7);1999:610-613.

27. Awasthi PK and Dixit SC. Chemical composition of Curcuma Longa leaves and rhizome oil from the plains of Northern India. Pharmacognosy. 1;2009:312-316.

28. Zeng YC, Liang JM, Qu GX and Qiu F. Chemical constituents of Curcuma longa I: bisabolane sesquiterpenes. Acta Pharm Sin. 17;2007:738-741.

29. Usman LA, Hamid AA, George OC, Ameen OM, Muhammad NO and Zubair MF. Chemical composition of rhizome essential oil of Curcuma longa L. growing in North Central Nigeria. World J Chem. 4;2009:178-181.

30. Chen JJ, Tsai CS, Hwang TL, Shieh PC, Chen JF and Sung PJ. Sesquiterpenes from the rhizome of Curcuma longa with inhibitory activity on superoxide generation and elastase release by neutrophils. Food Chem. 119;2010:974-980.

31. Chowdhury JU, Nandi NC, Bhuiyan MNI and Mobarok MH. Essential oil constituents of the rhizomes of two types of Curcuma longa of Bangladesh. Bangladesh J Sci Ind Res. 43; 2008:259-266.

32. Mukhopadhyay A, Basu N, Ghatak N and Gujral PK. Anti-inflammatory and irritant activities of curcumin analogues in rats. Agents Actions. 12(4);1982:508-515.

33. Kohli K and Ali J. Curcumin: A natural antiinflammatory agent. Indian J Pharmacol. 37;2005:141–147.

34. Kim KJ, Yu HH, Cha JD, Seo SJ, Choi NY and You YO. Antibacterial activity of Curcuma longa L. against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Phytother Res. 19(7);2005:599-604.

35. Negi PS, Jayaprakasha GK, Jagan Mohan Rao L and Sakariah KK. Antibacterial activity of turmeric oil: a byproduct from curcumin manufacture. J Agric Food Chem. 47(10);1999:4297-300.

36. Banerjee A and Nigam SS. Antimicrobial efficacy of the essential oil of Curcuma longa. Ind. J. Med. Res. 68;1978:864–866.

37. Kheeree N, Sangvanich P, Puthong S and Karnchanatat A. Antifungal and antiproliferative activities of lectin from the rhizomes of Curcuma amarissima Roscoe. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 162(3);2010:912-25.

38. Futagami Y. Antiallergenic activity of extracts from Curcuma longa , effect of curcuminoids. Wakan lyakugaku Zsshi. 13;1996:430–431.

39. Braga ME, Leal PF, Carvalho JE and Meireles MA. Comparison of yield, composition, and antioxidant activity of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) extracts obtained using various techniques. J Agric Food Chem. 51(22);2003:6604-6611.

40. Motterlini R, Foresti R, Bassi R and Green CJ. Curcumin, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, induces heme oxygenase-1 and protects endothelial cells against oxidative stress. Free Radic Biol Med. 28(8);2000:1303-1312.

41. Singh R, Mehta A, Mehta P and Shukla K. Anthelmintic activity of rhizome extracts of curcuma longa and zingiber officinale (zingiberaceae). Int J Pharm Pharm Sci. 3(2);2011:236-237.

42. Lee HS. Antiplatelet property of Curcuma longa L. rhizome-derived ar-turmerone. Bioresour Technol. 97(12);2006:1372-1376.

43. Deodhar SD, Sethi R and Srimal RC. Preliminary study on antirheumatic activity of curcumin (diferuloyl methane). Indian J Med Res. 71;1980:632–634.

44. Mishra K, Dash AP, Swain BK and Dey N. Anti-malarial activities of Andrographis paniculata and Hedyotis corymbosa extracts and their combination with curcumin. Malar J. 8;2009:26.

45. Khattak S, Saeed-ur-Rehman, Ullah Shah H, Ahmad W and Ahmad M. Biological effects of indigenous medicinal plants Curcuma longa and Alpinia galanga. Fitoterapia. 76(2);2005:254-257.

46. Tushar, Basak S, Sarma GC and Rangan L. Ethnomedical uses of Zingiberaceous plants of Northeast India. J Ethnopharmacol. 132(1);2010:286-96.

47. Nahid Akhtar and Tariq M. Haqqi. Current nutraceuticals in the management of osteoarthritis: a review. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis. 4(3);2012:181–207.

48. Srinivas K and Sambaiah K. The effect of spices on cholesterol 7 α hydroxylase activity on serum and hepatic cholesterol level in rat. Internatl. J Vit Nutri Res. 61;1991:364–369.

49. Singh G, Singh OP and Maurya S. Chemical and biocidal investigations on essential oils of some Indian Curcuma species. Prog Cryst Growth Charact Mat. 45(1–2);2002:75-81.

50. Tewtrakul S and Subhadhirasakul S. Anti-allergic activity of some selected plants in the Zingiberaceae family. J Ethnopharmacol. 109(3);2007:535-538.

51. Trong Tuan Dao, Phi Hung Nguyen, Ho Keun Won, Eun Hee Kim, Junsoo Park, Boo Yeon Won and Won Keun Oh. Curcuminoids from Curcuma longa and their inhibitory activities on influenza A neuraminidases. Food Chemistry. 134(1);2012:21-28.

52. Kumar K and Rai AK. Proniosomal formulation of curcumin having anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity in different experimental animal models. Pharmazie. 67(10);2012:852-857.

53. Chander H, Kulkarni SG and Berry SK. Effectiveness of turmeric powder and mustard oil as protectants in stored milled rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae. International Pest Control. 33;1991:94–97.

54. Tushar Basak S, Sarma GC and Rangan L. Ethnomedical uses of Zingiberaceous plants of Northeast India. J Ethnopharmacol. 132(1);2010:286-96.

55. Rafatullah S, Tariq M, Al-Yahya MA, Mossa JS and Ageel AM. Evaluation of turmeric (Curcuma longa) for gastric and duodenal antiulcer activity in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 29(1);1990:25-34.

56. Van Dau N, Ham NN, Khac DH, Lam NT, Son PT, Tan NT, Van DD, Dahlgren S, Grabe M, Johansson R, Lindgren G and Stjernström N. The effects of a traditional drug, turmeric (Curcuma longa), and placebo on the healing of duodenal ulcer. Phytomedicine. 5(1);1998:29-34.

57. Suryanarayana P, Satyanarayana A, Balakrishna N, Kumar PU and Reddy GB. Effect of turmeric and curcumin on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat. Med Sci Monit. 13(12);2007:286-292.

58. Bala K, Tripathy BC and Sharma D. Neuroprotective and anti-ageing effects of curcumin in aged rat brain regions. Biogerontology. 7;2006:81–89.

59. Leela Srinivas, VEC Shalini and M Shylajat. Turmerin: A Water Soluble Antioxidant Peptide from Turmeric [Curcuma longa]. Arch Biochem and Biophysics. 292(2);1992:617-623.

60. Ramos A, Visozo A, Piloto J, García A, Rodríguez CA and Rivero R. Screening of antimutagenicity via antioxidant activity in Cuban medicinal plants. J Ethnopharmacol. 87;2003:241-246.

61. Yu ZF, Kong LD and Chen Y. Antidepressent activity of aqueous extracts of Curcuma longa in mice. J Ethnopharmacol. 83;2002:161-165.

62. Kim HJ, Yoo HS, Kim JC, Park CS, Choi MS, Kim M, Choi H, Min JS, Kim YS, Yoon SW and Ahn JK. Antiviral effect of Curcuma longa Linn extract against hepatitis B virus replication. J Ethnopharmacol. 124;2001:189-196.

63. Adaramoye OA, Anjos RM, Almeida MM, Veras RC, Silvia DF, Oliveira FA, Cavalcante KV, Araújo IG, Oliveira AP and Medeiros IA. Hypotensive and endothelium-independent vasorelaxant effects of m ethanolic extract from Curcuma longa L. in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 124;2009:457-462.

64. Piyachaturawat P, Charoenpiboonsin J, Toskulkao C and Suksamrarn A. Reduction of plasma cholesterol by Curcuma comosa extract in hypercholesterolaemic hamsters. J Ethnopharmacol. 66;1999:199-204.

65. Kuttan R, Bhanumathy P, Nirmala K and George MC. Potential anticancer activity of turmeric (Curcuma longa). Cancer Lett. 29(2);1985:197-202.

66. Cohly HHP, Asad S, Das SK, Angel MF and Rao M. Effect of antioxidant (turmeric, turmerin and curcumin) on human immunodeficiency virus. Int J Mol Sci. 4;2003:22–33.

67. Park SY and Kim DS. Discovery of natural products from Curcuma longa that protect cells from beta-amyloid insult: A drug discovery effort against Alzheimers disease. J Nat Prod. 65;2002:1227–1231.

68. Mythri RB, Jagatha B, Pradhan N, Andersen J and Bharath MM. Mitochondrial complex I inhibition in Parkinsons disease: How can curcumin protect mitochondria? Antioxid Redox Signal. 9;2007:399–408.

69. Govindarajan VS. Turmeric-chemistry, technology, and quality. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 1980;12:199–301.

70. Ammon HP and Wahl M. A. Pharmacology of Curcuma longa. Planta Med. 1991;57:1–7.

71. Saraf S, Chhabra SK, Kaur CD and Saraf S. Development of photochemoprotective herbs containing cosmetic formulations for improving skin properties. J Cosmet Sci. 2012;63(2):119-31.

72. Saikia AP, Ryakala VK, Sharma P, Goswami P and Bora U. Ethnobotany of medicinal plants used by Assamese people for various skin ailments and cosmetics. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006;106(2):149-57.

73. Krishnaswamy K. Traditional Indian spices and their health significance. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008;17 Suppl 1:265-268.

74. Dixit VP, Jain P and Joshi S. C. Hypolipidaemic effects of Curcuma longa L. and Nardostachys jatamansi, DC in triton-induced hyperlipidaemic rats. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1988;32:299–304.

75. Garodia P, Ichikawa H, Malani N, Sethi G and Aggarwal B. B. From ancient medicine to modern medicine: Ayurvedic concepts of health and their role in inflammation and cancer. J Soc Integr Oncol. 2007;5:25–37.

76. Bundy R, Walker AF, Middleton RW and Booth J. Turmeric extract may improve irritable bowel syndrome symptomology in otherwise healthy adults: A pilot study. J Altern Complement Med. 2004;10:1015–1018.

77. Araujo CC and Leon L L. Biological activities of Curcuma longa L. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2001;96:723–728.

78. Chaturvedi TP. Uses of turmeric in dentistry: an update. Indian J Dent Res. 2009;20(1):107-109.

79. Aggarwal BB, Ichikawa H, Garodia P, Weerasinghe P, Sethi G, Bhatt ID, Pandey MK, Shishodia S and Nair MG. From traditional Ayurvedic medicine to modern medicine: Identification of therapeutic targets for suppression of inflammation and cancer. Expert Opin Ther Targets. 2006;10:87–118.

80. Fetrow CW and Avila JR. Professional's Handbook of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse; 1999.

81. Haddad M, Sauvain M and Deharo E. Curcuma as a parasiticidal agent: A review. Planta Med. 2011;77(6):672-678.

82. Ramchandra R, Bhinde SV, Ghaisas SD, Lambe S and Vaidya ABD. Antiinflammatory activity of Turmeric oil in arthritis model in rats. Proceeding of International congress on “Ayurveda-2000” Chennai; 2000. Jan 28-30, 199-200.

83. Mishra N and Gupta SS. Anti-inflammatory and Anti-hyaluranidase activity of volatile oil of Curcuma longa. J Res in Ayurveda and sidda. 1-2(18);1997:56-62.

84. Ramsevak RS, Dewitt DL and Nair MG. Cytotoxic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of curcumins 1-3 from C. longa. Phytomedicines. 7(4);2000:303-308.

85. Despande UR, Godra SG, Raste AS, Pillai D, Bhinde SV and Samuel AM. The Protective effect of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) extract on CCl₄ induced liver damage on Rats. J Exp Biol. 36(6);1998:573-577.

86. Rajasekaran V, Menon VP and Rajasekaran KN. A protective role of curcumin in ethanol toxicity. Phytotherapy Research. 12(1);1998:55-56.

87. Kandarkar SV, Sawant SS, Ingle AD, Deshpande SS and Maru, GB. A Histopathological and ultrastructural studies on subchromic oral Hepatotoxicity of Turmeric in Mice. J Experimental Biology. 36(7);1998:675-679.

88. Deshpande UR, Joseph LJ, Mnjure SS, Bhinde SV and Samuel AM. Effect of Turmeric extract on lipid Profile. International Seminar on free radicals mediated Diseases and Ayurveda Faculty of Ayurveda IMS, BHU, Varanasi, 2-4-Sept. 1996.

89. Pandya MM. A study of septic wounds in diabetics and role of herbal treatment. Sachitra Ayurveda. 48(3);1995:392-394.

90. Negi PS, Jayprakash GK, Rao LJM and Sakarian KK. Antibacterial activity of turmeric oil. Agriculture and Food Chemistry. 47(10);1999:4297-4300.

91. Kapoor A. Anti-fungal activities of fresh Juice and aqueous extract of Turmeric and Ginger. J Phytological Research. 10(1-2);1997:59-62.

92. Kim MS, Kang HJ and Moon A. A study showing inhibition of invasion and introduction of apoptosis by Curcumin in H-ras-transformed MCF-10 A human breast epithelial cell. Archives of Pharmaceutical Research. 24(4);2001:349-354.

93. Rajakrishnan V, Vshvanathan P, Rajsekharan KN and Menon VP. Neuroprotective role of curcumin from Curcuma longa on ethanol induced brain damage. Phytotherapy Research. 13(7);1999:571-574.

94. Bhagat M and Purohit A. Antifertility effect of various extract of Curcuma longa in male albino rats. Indian Drugs. 39;2001:312-317.

95. Deitelhoftt P, Petrowicz O and Muller B. Anti-dyspeptic properties Turmeric Root extract (TRE). Phytomedicine. 7(2);2002:92.

96. Lal B, Kapoor AK, Agrawal PK, Asthana OP and Srimal RC. Role of Curcumin in Idiopathic inflammatory orbital pseudotumours. Phytotherapy Research. 14(6);2000:443-447.

97. Lee SE, Campball BC, Molyneux RJ, Hesegalwa S and Lee HS. Inhibitory effect of normally occurring compounds on Aflatoxin B biotransformation. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 49(11);2001:5171-5177.

98. Suresh S, Shobharani R, Himremath S, Praven S and Thomas A. Preparation and evaluation of Pluronic F-127 gel of Curcumin. Indian Drugs. 36(5);1999:326-327.

99. Choudhary D, Chandra D and Kale RK. Modulation of radiorlsponse of glycoxylase system by curcumin. J Ethano-pharmacology. 64(1);1999:1-7.

100. Xia X, Cheng G, Pan Y, Xia ZH and Kong LD. Behavioral, neurochemical and neuroendocrine effects of the ethanolic extract from Curcuma longa L. in the mouse forced swimming test. J Ethnopharmacol. 110;2007:356-363.

101. Weerachayaphorn J, Chuncharunee A, Jariyawat S, Lewchalermwong B, Amonpatumrat S, Suksamrarn A and Piyachaturawat P. Protection of centrilobular necrosis by Curcuma comosa Roxb. in carbon tetrachloride-induced mice liver injury. J Ethnopharmacol. 129;2010:254-260.

102. Chen W, Lu Y, Gao M, Wu J, Wang A and Shi R. Anti-angiogenesis effect of essential oil from Curcuma zedoaria in vitro and in vivo. J Ethnopharmacol. 133;2011:220-226.

103. Piwocka K, Jaruga E, Skierski J, Gradzka I and Sikora E. Effect of glutathione depletion on caspase-3 independent apoptosis pathway induced by curcumin in jurkat cells. Free Radicle Biology and Medicine. 31(5);2001:670-678.

104. Ligeret H, Barthelemy S, Zini R, Tillement JP, Labidalle S and Morin D. Effects of curcumin and curcumin derivatives on mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Free Radicle Biology and Medicine. 36(7);2004:919-929.

105. Vajragupta O, Boonchoong P, Watanabe H, Tohda M, Kummasud N and Sumanont Y. Manganese complexes of curcumin and its derivatives: evaluation for the radical scavenging ability and neuroprotective activity. Free Radicle Biology and Medicine. 35(12);2003:1632-1644.

106. Jain SK, Rains J, Jones K. Effect of curcumin on protein glycosylation, lipid peroxidation, and oxygen radical generation in human red blood cells exposed to high glucose levels. Free Radicle Biology and Medicine. 41;2006:92-96.

107. Manikandan R, Thiagarajan R, Beulaja S, Sudhandiran G and Arumugam M. Curcumin prevents free radical-mediated cataractogenesis through modulations in lens calcium. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 48;2010:483-492.

108. Fiorillo C, Becatti M, Pensalfini A, Cecchi C, Lanzilao L, Donzelli G, Nassi N, Giannini L, Borchi E and Nassi P. Curcumin protects cardiac cells against ischemia-reperfusion injury: effects on oxidative stress, NF- κ B, and JNK pathways. Free Radicle Biology and Medicine. 45;2008:839-846.

109. Amphawan Aplsarlyakul, Nongnuch Vanittanakom and Duang Buddhasukh. Antifungal activity of turmeric oil extracted from Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae). J Ethnopharmacol. 49;1995:163-169.

Received on 11.01.2013

Modified on 18.01.2013

Accepted on 20.01.2013

Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 5(2): March-April 2013, 59-68

Anti-inflammatory^[32,33]	Anti-microbial^[34,35]	Anti-septic^[36]	Anti-fungal^[37]
Antiallergenic^[38]	Anti-oxidant^[39,40]	Anti-helmintic ^[41]	antirheumatic activity^[42]
Antiplatelet^[43]	Anti-malarial^[44]	Stomachic^[45]	Expectorant^[46]
Lipid-lowering^[47]	Antiviral^[48]	Insecticidal^[49]	Anti-allergic activity^[50]
osteoarthritis^[51]	Anti-arthritic^[52]	Insect-repellant^[53]	Febrifuge^[54]
Anti-ulcer^[55,56]	Anti-diabetic^[57]	Anti-ageing^[58]	Anti-mutagenic^[59,60]
Anti-depressent^[61]	Anti-viral ^[62]	Hypotensive ^[63]	Hypolipidemic ^[64]
Anti-cancer^[65]	Anti-HIV activity^[66]	Anti-Alzheimer ^[67]	Parkinsons disease^[68]