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| Latin Name |
English Name |
Sanskrit Names |
Hindi Names |
Curcuma longa
Linn. (Zingiberaceae)
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Turmeric |
Haridra, Rajani,
Nisha |
Haldi, Halada |
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| History |
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| Turmeric has
been used in Indian systems of medicine for a long time. It
was listed in an Assyrian herbal dating from about 600 BC and
was also mentioned by Dioscorides. Both the East and the West
have held its medicinal properties in high regard through the
ages. |
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| Habitat |
The plant is a native
of southern Asia (probably India) and is cultivated extensively throughout
the warmer parts of the world.
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| Morphology
Description (Habit) |
C.longa is
a perennial herb, with a short stem and tufted leaves. The rhizomes,
which are short and thick, constitute the turmeric of commerce.
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| Principal
Constituents |
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The rhizomes contain curcuminoids, curcumin, demethoxy curcumin,
bis- demethoxycurcumin, 5'- methoxycurcumin and dihydrocurcumin
which are found to be natural anti-oxidants. A new curcuminoid,
cyclocurcumin, was isolated from the nematocidally active fraction
of turmeric. The fresh rhizomes also contain two new natural phenolics
which possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and also
two new pigments. Several sesquiterpenes, germacrone, turmerone,
ar-(+)-, a-, ß- turmerones; ß- bisabolene; a-curcumene;
zingiberene; ß- sesquiphellandene, bisacurone; curcumenone;
dehydrocurdione; procurcumadiol; bis-acumol; curcumenol; isoprocurcumenol
epiprocurcumenol; procurcumenol; zedoaronediol; curlone; and turmeronol
A and turmeronol B, have been recorded from the rhizomes. The rhizomes
are also reported to contain four new polysaccharides-ukonans -
having activity on the Reticuloendothelial system, along
with stigmasterol, ß-sitosterol, cholesterol and 2-hydroxymethyl
anthraquinone1.
The essential oil from the rhizome contains d-a-phellandrene, d-sabinene,
cineol, borneol, zingiberene, sesquiterpenes (turmerones)2.
The crystalline coloring matter, curcumin, is a diferuloyl methane.
It dissolves in concentrated sulphuric acid giving a yellow-red
coloration3.
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| Pharmacology |
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Turmeric possesses anti-inflammatory property. Petroleum ether
extracts of the rhizome showed significant anti-inflammatory activity
in experimental animals without producing any toxicity or side effects.
The anti-inflammatory activity of turmeric extracts has been attributed
to curcumin and its analogues4
Oil of C.longa leaves obtained by steam distillation was
given orally to study its effects on the exudative and proliferative
phases of the inflammatory reaction, using the techniques of carrageenin-induced
paw edema and cotton pellet methods in male albino rats. The anti-inflammatory
activity was compared with Phenylbutazone. In carrageenin- induced
edema, 1.6ml/kg of the volatile oil had as much anti-inflammatory
activity as that of 100mg/kg Phenylbutazone. The oil was also found
to be potent in cotton pellet granuloma studies5.
An oral dose of 500mg/kg of the ethanol extract of turmeric produced
significant antiulcerogenic activity in rats subjected to hypothermic-restraint
stress and pyloruic ligation. It also showed marked anti-ulcerogenic
effect in indomethacin and reserpine, induced-gastric ulcers in
rats. The extract had a highly significant protective effect against
cytodestructive agents. Turmeric extract not only increased the
gastric wall mucus significantly but also restored the non-protein
sulfhydryl (NP-SH) content in the glandular stomachs of the rats6.
C.longa rhizome extract showed blood glucose lowering activity
in experimental, induced- diabetic rats. After 3 and 6 hrs of curcuma
injection (10mg), 37.2 percent and 54.5 percent fall, were observed
respectively in the glucose levels7.
Turmeric is reported to have anti-fertility activity as observed
with experimental animals. The petroleum ether and aqueous extracts
showed 100 percent anti-implantation in rats at a dose of 200mg/kg
body wt fed orally on day 1 to 7 of pregnancy8.
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| Clinical
Studies |
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Of the 50 cases of conjunctivitis, 25 cases were treated with Haridra
Eye drops (HEB) and other 25 cases with soframycin eye drops (SED).
Clinical symptoms started subsiding from the 3rd day and all were
cured by the 6th day (except 2 patients) in patients treated with
HED. In SED patients symptoms subsided from the 4th day and complete
relief took 7 days except for 2 cases, which took 9 days. This indicates
that HED has a definite role in conjunctivitis. Bacteriological
study shows that Haridra act, effectively on E.coli, Staphylococus
aureus, Klebsella and Pseudomonas9.
The Volatile oil of C.longa when given orally, was found
most effective in the treatment of bronchial asthma than when given
intramuscularly10.
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| Toxicology |
The clastogenic potential
of Curcuma longa in experimental rats in in vivo conditions
has been evaluated. A single acute dose treatment (500mg/kg b.w.)
could not significantly induce micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes
but caused considerably higher chromosomal abberrations11.
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| Indications |
In Indian systems of medicine,
turmeric is used to some extent as a stomachic, tonic and blood purifier.
It is also prescribed as an antiperiodic alterative. Externally, it
is applied to indolent ulcers. A decoction of the rhizome is said
to relieve the pain of purulent ophthalmia. Oil of turmeric, distilled
from the dried rhizomes, has feeble antiseptic properties. It is an
antacid, and, in small doses, acts as a carminative, stomachic, appetiser
and tonic. In large doses, however, it appears to act as an antispasmodic
inhibiting excessive peristaltic movements of the intestines. Turmeric
also possesses anti-inflammatory property.
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| Product
Range |
Diabecon (GlucoCare),
Geriforte (GeriCare / StressCare), Ophthacare, Purim (HemoCare), V-Gel
(FemCare Gel), Anti-Wrinkle Cream, Foot Care Cream, Geriforte Aqua, Geriforte Vet, Scavon.
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| References |
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- Ravindranath & Satyanarayana, Phytochemistry, 1980, 19,
2031; Masuda et. al., ibid, 1993, 32, 1557; Toda et.
al., Chem Pharm Bull, 1985, 33, 1725; Kiuchi et. al.,
ibid, 1993, 41, 1640; Nakayama et. al., Phytochemistry,
1993, 33, 501; Ohshiro et. al., ibid, 1990, 29, 2201; Golding
et. al., J Chem Soc, Chem Commun, 1982, 363; Uehara et.
al., Shoyakugaku Zasshi, 1992, 46, 55; Kiso et. al.,
Phytochemistry, 1983, 22, 596; Imai et. al., Agric Biol
Chem, 1990, 54, 2367; Gonda et. al., Chem Pharm Bull, 1990,
38, 482; 1992, 40, 185; Chem Abstr, 1977, 87, 11482; Ogbeide et.
al., Pak J Sci, 1985, 37, 15.
- Kelkar & Rao. J. Indian Inst. Sci.,1933, 17A, 7. A ketone,
and an alcohol identified as p-tolylmethyl carbinol, have been
obtained distillate3 (Chem. Abstr., 1933, 27, 4876).
- Mayer & Cook,93; Chem. Abstr.,1948,42,8496.
- Choudhury & Haq, Bull Med-Ethno-Bot Res, 1980, 1, 408; Arora
et. al., Indian J Med Res, 1971, 59, 2189; Ammon &
Wahl, Planta Med, 1991, 57, 1; Rao et. al., Indian J Med
Res, 1982, 75, 574; Khung et. al., Indian J Pharmacol,
1986, 18, 20; Srimal & Dhawan, J Pharm Pharmacol, 1973, 25,
447; Srimal, Indian Spices, 1993, 30 (2&3), 21; Dhawan, ibid,
1993, 30 (2&3), 19; East Pharm, 1979, 22 (258), 70; Sinha
et. al., Nagarjun, 1976, 19 (6), 11.
- Iyengar, M.A et. al., Indian Drugs, 1994, v., 31(11),
528-531.
- Rafatullah, S. et. al., J. Ethnopharmacol., 1990, v.,
29(1), 25-34.
- Tank, R. et. al., Indian Drugs, 1990, v., 27(11), 587-589.
- Choudhury & Haq, Bull Med-Ethno-Bot Res, 1980, 1, 408;
Garg et. al., Indian J Exp Biol, 1978, 16, 1077; Garg,
Planta Med, 1974, 26, 225; Curr Res Med Arom Pl, 1983, 5, 83-01-549.
- Srinivas,C. and Prabhakaran,K.V.S., Ancient Science of Life,
1989, v., 8(3 & 4), 279-283.
- Jain, J.P. et. al., J. Res. Ayur. and Siddha,
1990, v., 11(1-4), 20-30.
- Jain, A.K. et. al., Curr. Sci., 1987, 56(19), 1005-1006.
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