What is Curcumin?
Curcumin is a product of Curcuma longa, plant belongs to the family Zingiberaceae. Curcumin is commonly called “haldi,” a word derived from the Sanskrit word haridra. It is used to treat various organs, liver, digestive tract or wound healing. Traditional due to presence of polyphenol that possess anti-inflammatory, hypoglycaemic, antioxidant, wound-healing, and antimicrobial properties.
Chemical Constituent
Curcumin materials, contain three major compounds- Diferuloylmethane(60-70%)
- Demethoxycurcumin(20–27%)
- Bisdemethoxycurcumin (10–15%)
Turmeric constituents possess three curcuminoids: curcumin (diferuloylmethane; the primary constituent which is responsible for its yellow color, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin, as well as volatile oils (tumerone, atlantone, and zingiberone), sugars, proteins, and resins.
Mechanism of Action
The mechanism of action by which curcumin shows anti-inflammatory effect is by attenuating inflammatory response of TNF-α stimulated human endothelial cells by interfering with NF-κB. It also acts as a scavenger of oxygen hence let to anti-inflammatory activity.
Clinical Evidence:
- IN ARTHRITS
Arthritis first reported in 1980 involving 18 young patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, curcumin activity compared with the drug phenylbutazone. Patients were assigned to take either curcumin (1.2 g/day) or phenylbutazone (0.3 g/day) for 2 weeks. Curcumin shows anti-rheumatic activity as similar to that of phenylbutazone shown by the improvement in joint swelling, morning stiffness, and walking time. -
IN DIABETES
Curcumin possess the ability to decrease blood sugar levels in human patients which was first reported in 1972. A male patient who had diabetes for 16 years adviced to take 5 g of turmeric powder over a period, after which his blood sugar level decreased from 140 to 70 mg/dl. Ingestion of turmeric or curcumin along with insulin gradually reduces the sugar level. -
IN PEPTIC ULCER
Of the 60 patients in a study, 30 received turmeric (250 mg, four times per day), and the other 30 received antacid (30 ml, four times per day). The treatment was continued for 6 to 12 weeks. Although both antacid and turmeric improved gastric ulcers in patients and also reduced the chances of its reoccurrence.
Saftey
- In high amounts, it may be unsafe for women during pregnancy.
- Long term use of turmeric may cause serious side effects
- Nausea, upset stomach
- diarrhoea
- dizziness
Uses
- Curcumin can help treat symptoms of arthritis.
- Curcumin is effective as an antidepressant.
- Curcumin may act as an anti-aging supplement.
- Turmeric and curcumin have strong antibacterial effects.
- They can reduce the growth of many disease-causing bacteria.
- Turmeric paste applied to the fresh wounds and used for curing for insect bites.
- Curcumin can help to reduce inflammation and oxidation which can play a important role in curing heart disease.
- Curcumin boosts levels of the brain hormone which increases the growth of new neurons and help to fight with various degenerative processes in your brain.
