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Biological Activities of Turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.) -An Overview

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Review Article
BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF TURMERIC (Curcuma longa Linn.) -
AN OVERVIEW
1 2 1
Suman Vikas Bhat , Tawheed Amin , Saima Nazir
1
Department of Food Technology, Islamic University of Science & Technology, Awantipora, J&K, 1921 22 INDIA
2
Divison of Post-Harvest Technology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology-Kashmir,
Shalimar Campus, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir 191 121 INDIA

Correspondence should be addressed to Suman Vikas Bhat

Received February 10, 2015; Accepted March 15, 2015; Published March 28, 2015;

Copyright: © 2015 Suman Vikas Bhat et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons
Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the
original work is properly cited.

Cite This Article: Bhat, S., Amin, T., Nazir, S. (2015). Biological Activities of Turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.) -
An Overview. BMR Microbiology, 1(1). 1-5

ABSTRACT
Now-a-days, economic and medicinal importance of turmeric ( Curcuma longa Linn.) is an established fact, besides further
research methodology is practiced to reach the extreme and extensive value of its diverse pharmacological and other uses. It
has been appreciably used in traditional medicine as a household remedy for various diseases. Its anti-inflammatory,
anticancer and anti-oxidant properties if exploited efficiently may benefit the mankind in colorful ways. It has a low toxic
effect on body hence large doses can be given without any fear of toxicity that reflects its broad therapeutic index. This plant
has benefited us of its various medicinal values besides other utilities.

KEY WORDS: Turmeric, biological activities, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory

INTRODUCTION used as stimulant, aspirant, carminative and cordeal,
emenagouge astringent, detergent, diuretic and martirnet
(Jurenka et al., 2009; Remadevi et al., 2007).
T he continuous evolution of bacterial resistance to Turmeric extract is an oleoresin consisting of a volatile oil
currently available antibiotics has necessitated the search fraction (light) and a yellow-brown colored (heavy)
for novel and effective antimicrobial compounds. Globally, fraction. It contains a number of cucuminoids,
plant extracts are being employed for their antimicrobial monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids (Singh et al., 2012).
activities. It is known that more than 400000 species of The compounds showing yellow colour are three
tropical flowering plants have medicinal properties and this curcuminoid compounds- curcumin, demethoxycurcumin
has made traditional medicine cheaper than modern and dismethoxycurcumin. Curcumin, a yellow bioactive
medicine (Odugoemi et al., 2006). Curcuma longa is a pigment, is the major component of turmeric (Menon et
medicinal plant belonging to Zingiberaceae family al., 2007; Hatcher et al., 2008). The chemical formula of
(Chattopadhyay et al., 2004). It is commonly used as a curcumin is C12 H20 O63.
spice, food preservative and colouring agent (Aggarwal et
al., 2007; Menon et al., 2007). It is native to tropical South Curcumin shows a wide spectrum of biological activities 1
Asia but is now widely cultivated in the tropical and such as antifungal (Chattopadhyay et al., 2004), anti-
subtropical regions of world (Shiyon li et al., 2011). bacterial (Di Mario et al., 2007; Rai et al., 2008), anti-
diabetic (Aggarwal et al. 2007), anti-oxidant (Menon et al.
In Ayurvedic medicine, it is primarily used to treat 2007; Mohammad et al. 2005), anti-allergic (Suzuki et al.,
inflammation and in traditional Chinese medicine; it is 2005), anti-cancer (Lotempio et al., 2005), anti-

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inflammatory (Punithavathi et al., 2000, Siddique et al., Dimethoxy and dismethoxy derivatives of curcumin have
2006) and anti-protozoal (Reddey et al., 2005) activities. It also been isolated (Vopel et al., 1990). Curcumin was first
has been reported that the volatile oil of C. longa possess isolated in 1815 (Vogel and Pelletier, 1815) and its
anti-inflammatory (Chandra et al., 1972), anti-bacterial chemical structure was given by Roughly and Whiting
(Lutomaski et al., 1974; Banerjee et al., 1978) and anti- (1973).
fungal activities (Banerjee et al., 1978). These
curcuminoids are responsible for the yellow color of root. PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES
For quite a long time, turmeric has been used as a potent
anti-inflammatory agent in both Chinese and Indian Antibacterial activity
systems of medicine (Gescher et al., 2005). It has a great
ability for wound healing. C. longa is often cultivated to In 1993, Sankaranarayanan and coworkers carried out a
harvest rhizomes for ground turmeric powder as a spice study to evaluate the antibacterial activity of chloroform-
and food colouring agent. The plant has also been ethanol water and petroleum-ether extracts of dried
recognized as a pharmaceutical crop for the production of rhizome of turmeric. They used the extracts at a
standardized therapeutic extracts (STES) or small concentration of 250 mg/ml on agar plates. The results of
therapeutic molecules (STMS) (Yuan et al., 2010). India is the study showed antibacterial activity against Bacillus
the largest producer of turmeric supplying over 90% of subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and
worlds demand (OloJede et al., 2009). There are about 70 Staphylococcus aureus. Another study was carried out by
cultivars or varieties of C. longa cultivated in India, some Naovi et al., in 1991 in which antibacterial assaying was
important regional trade varieties of turmeric are done for ethanol (95%) and water extracts of dried rhizome
RAJAPURI, DUGGIRALA, CUDDAPPAH, of turmeric, each at a concentration of 10.0 mg/ml. It was
BERHAMPUR, ERODE, NIZAMABAD, KORAPUT, found from the results that the ethanol (95%) extract did
KASTURI, CHAYA, KODUR, SALEM, WIAGON, not show any activity on Corynebacterium diptheriae,
KARUR etc. (Sasikumar et al., 2005). Diplococcus pneumonia, Staphylococcus viridians and
Streptococcus pyogenes. Water extract was also found to
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF be ineffective against Corynebacterium diptherie and
TURMERIC Diplococcus pneumonia and produced weak activity
against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus viridians and
The chemical composition of turmeric and its essential oil Streptococcus pyogenes (Naovi et al., 1991). Several other
(5.8% obtained by steam distillation of rhizomes) is shown researchers have studied different fractions of dried
in Table 1 and Table 2, respectively. turmeric rhizome for their antibacterial activity. For
example, Elkeltawi et al. (1980) studied the antibacterial
Table 1: Chemical composition of turmeric activity of essential oil of turmeric rhizome on agar plate,
the results of which showed no antibacterial activity
Parameter Percentage against Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas
aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Another
Moisture 13.1 researcher, Dhar et al. (1968) evaluated the ethanol extract
of rhizome against Lactobacillus acidophilus,
Protein 6.3 Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella
Fat 5.1 typhosa. It was contended from the results that the extracts
were effective against the first three bacterial species,
Minerals 3.5 equivocal on Escherichia coli and inactive on Salmonella
typhosa. In a study by Ross et al. (1980), undiluted
Carbohydrates 69.4 essential oil on agar plate did not show any effect on
Source: (Kapoor et al., 1990) Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeroginosa
and Staphylococcus aureus.
Table 2: Chemical composition of steam distilled essential
Anti-fungal activity
oil of turmeric rhizome
A study was carried out by Acharait and co-workers in
Parameter Percentage which the anti-fungal activity of chloroform, ethanol and
Alpha-phellandrene 1.0 water extracts was evaluated against Epidermophyton
floccosum, Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton
Sabinene 0.6 rubrum. The results showed that chloroform and ethanol
Cineol 1.0 extracts of dried rhizome of turmeric on agar plate
exhibited a good anti-fungal activity but water extract
Borneol 0.5 produced weak activity. Banerjee et al. (1978) evaluated
Zingiberene 25 the antimicrobial activity of essential oil of dried rhizome
of C. longa on agar plate at a concentration of 1:100. It was
2 Sesquiterpines 53 found from the results that the extract was active on
Source: (Kapoor et al., 1990) Trichoderma viride, Aspergillus flavus, Microsporum
gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Naovi et al.
Curcumin (diferuloylmethane 3-4 %) is responsible for the (1991) also carried out a study to evaluate the antimicrobial
yellow color and comprises curcumin 1 (94%), curcumin 2 activity of water extract of dried rhizome. Naovi and his
(6%) and curcumin 3 (0.3%) (Ruby et al., 1995). co-workers used the extract at a concentration of 10.0
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mg/ml on agar plate and concluded from the results that the vs adjuvant induced arthritis (p < 0.01) (Kinoshita et al.,
extract was not able to show any activity against 1986). Root essential oil, administered orally to rats at a
Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum, dose of 0.1 ml/kg was active vs carrageen in induced pedal
Philophorajean selmei but showed weak activity against oedema (Gupta et al., 1972).
Trichopytonmenta grophytes. According to Banerjee et al.
(1978), essential oil of dried rhizome on agar plate at a Anti-oxidant activity
concentration of 1:100 was active on Curvularia oryzae,
Helminthosporum oryzae, Penicillium corymbiferum, Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are associated with many
Penicillium javanicum and Penicillium lilacinum. In 1980, biological phenomena such as inflammation,
Elkeltawi and co-workers reported that essential oil carcinogenesis and aging (Amin et al., 2012). Todd et al.
extracted from the turmeric rhizome on agar plate was (1985), has reported the antioxidant effect of hexane and
equivocal on Aspergillus aegypticus, active on methanol extracts of rhizome at a concentration of 0.1%.
Trichoderma viride and inactive on Penicillium cyclopium. They found that hexane extract of dried rhizome at a
A concentration of 3000 ppm on agar plate was active on concentration of 0.06% was inactive when tested on lard
Aspergillus niger (Mishra et al., 1994). In a study by Ross however, the methanol extract was active (Lee et al.,
et al. (1980), it was shown that undiluted essential oil of 1982). According to a study by Shalinin et al. (1987), hot
rhizome did not show any activity on Penicillium water extract of a commercial sample of tuber was active
cyclopium, Trichoderma viride and Aspergillus aegypticus. vs. protection of DNA against per oxidative injury. Water
Mishra et al. (1990), showed that the essential oil of fresh extract of rhizome was active on rat brain vs. Fe2+/
leaf at a concentration of 5000 ppm on agar plate produced ascorbate Fe2+/ TBH induced lipid per oxidation. The
weak antifungal activity on Aspergillus flavus. biological activity was highly dose dependent, IC50
(median inhibitory concentration) 100 mcg/ml. The extract
Anti-inflammatory activity was also active vs. lipid per oxidation induced by TBARS,
IC50 50 mcg/ml which means that the activity depends on
Ethanol extract of dried rhizome administered the doses and varies with dose variation (Selvam et al.,
intraperitoneally to male rats at a dose of 100 mg/kg was 1995).
active vs. granuloma pouch model. Doses of 200 mg/kg,
400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg were active vs. carrageen in Anti-coagulant activity
induced pedal edema but on lowering the dose to 50.0
mg/kg, the extract was found to be inactive vs. granuloma Kosuge et al. (1984), evaluated the anti-coagulant activity
pouch model. Water extract at doses of 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, of ethyl acetate extract of dried rhizome. They fed the mice
20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg were active against intraperitoneally at a dose of 0.1 g/kg which showed strong
carrageen in induced rat pedal edema. A dose of 10 mg/kg anti-coagulant activity. Ethyl acetate extract was found to
was inactive vs. granuloma pouch model but a dose of 20 have very strong anticoagulant activity. Results were found
mg/kg was active. Petroleum ether extract at a dose of 12.5 to be significant at p < 0.01 level. The water extract at a
mg/kg was inactive against granuloma pouch model, 25 dose of 0.1 g/kg was equivocal.
mg/kg was active vs. granuloma pouch model but inactive
vs. carrageen in induced rat pedal oedema. A dose of Anti-implantation effect
50mg/kg was active vs. carrageen in induced rat pedal
oedema (Yegnanarayana et al., 1976). Rhizome taken Garg et al. (1974) studied the anti-implantation effect of
orally by human adults at a dose of 50 mg/kg person was petroleum ether extract and water extract of turmeric
active. The clinical efficiency of herbomineral formulation rhizome. Garg and co-workers fed the rats at a dose of 100
containing roots of Withania sonifera, the stems of mg/kg and 200 mg/kg and contended from the results that
Boswellia serrata, rhizomes of Curcuma longa and a zinc there was 80% and 100% reduction in implantation effect,
complex (Articulin F) was evaluated in a randomized, respectively.
double blind placebo-controlled, cross over study in
patients with osteoarthritis. After one month single blind Embryo toxic effect
run in period, 42 patients with osteoarthritis were
A study was carried out by Garg and coworkers in 1978 in
randomly allocated to receive either a drug treatment or a
which ethanol (95%) extract of rhizome after administering
matching placebo for a period of three months. After a 15
orally to rats at a dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg produced 70%
day wash out period the patients were transferred to the
and 80% inhibition of pregnancy, respectively. Water
other treatment for a further period of three months.
extract produced 80% and 100% inhibition respectively
Clinical efficacy was evaluated every two weeks on the
(Garg et al., 1978).
basis of severity of pain, morning stiffness, Ritchie
articular index, joint score, disability score and grip Anti-viral activity
strength. Other parameters like erythrocyte sedimentation
rate and radiological examination were carried out on a Cai et al. (1988), showed in a study that hot water extract
monthly basis. Treatment with the herbomineral formation of dried rhizome in cell culture was active on vesicular
produced a significant drop in severity of pain and stomatitis virus. The prescription included 10g each of
disability score. Radiological assessment, however, did not Curcuma longa rhizome, Rheum officinale root, 3
show any significant changes in both the groups. Side Cimicifuga foetida rhizome, Anemarrhena asaphodeloides
effects observed with this formulation did not necessitate rhizome, Areca catechu seed, Magnolia officinalis bark and
withdrawal of treatment (Khikarni et al., 1991). Scutellaria baicalensis root along with 5g Amomum tsaoko
Polysaccharide fraction of dried rhizome administered fruit, together with insects Bombyx mori and
intraperitoneally to rats at a dose of 100 mg/kg was active Cryptotympana pustulata. May et al. (1978), reported that
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water extract of dried rhizome in cell culture at a Turmeric has been found to show antispasmodic activity.
concentration of 10% was inactive on Herpes Virus Type- Ethanol/water (1:1) extract of rhizome is found to be active
2, Influenza virus A2 (Manheim 57), Polio-II and Vaccinia on the ileum of guinea pigs (Dhar et al., 1968).
virus.
Antivenoum activity
Anti-mutagenic activity
Araujo et al. (2001), has reported that Ar-turmerone
Chang et al. (1989), carried out a study to evaluate the anti- isolated from C. longa, neutralizers both haemorrhagic
mutagenic effect of hot water extract of dried rhizome in activity of Bothrops venom and 70% lethal effect of
comparison with Aflatoxin B1 induced mutagenesis and Crotalus venom in mice. It acts as an enzymatic inhibitor
Aflatoxin and Mitomycin induced mutagenesis. Chang and of venom enzymes with proteolytic activities (Ferreira et
co-workers (1989), found that hot water extract of dried al., 1992).
rhizome on agar plate at concentration of 40 mg/plate and
at a minimum toxic dose were inactive on Salmonella CONCLUSION
typhimurium TA100 vs Aflatoxin B1 induced mutagenesis.
Metabolic activation had no effect on the results. Dried Keeping in view the above mentioned biological properties
rhizome extract on agar plate at a concentration of 50 of Curcuma longa, it is quite clear that turmeric being
mg/ml was inactive on Salmonella typhimurium TA1535 available in pure form, it would be easier to develop new
vs Aflatoxin and Mitomycin induced mutagenesis. Another drugs which can be more effective with less side effects. In
study by Deshpande et al. (1995) shows that water extract recent years, it has been seen that there is a continuous
of rhizome at a concentration of 0.33 mg/ml was active on enthusiasm in treating various diseases with natural
rat liver microsomes and the formation of labeled products. Due to being nontoxic with a wide spectrum of
benzo[a]pyrene-DNA adducts was inhibited. Infusion at a biological functions, turmeric may find its application in
concentration of 2 mcg/ plate on agar plate was active on the formation of various medicinal products which can help
Salmonella typhimurium TA100. 1-methyl-3 nitro-1- in the treatment of various diseases in coming future.
nitroguanidine-induced mutagenesis was inhibited by 25%.
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