ABSTRACT:
Curcuma longa L., (Zingiberaceae) grows up to 3-5 ft tall and has dull yellow flowers. The rhizome is an underground stem that is thick, oblong, ovate, pyriform and fleshy ringed with the bases of old leaves. The plant has oblong, pointed leaves with funnel-shaped yellow flowers. It contains several phytoconstituents belonging to category of alkaloids, glycosides, triterpenoids, sterols, include three curcuminoids: curcumin (diferuloylmethane; the primary constituent and the one responsible for its vibrant yellow color), demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin, as well as volatile oils (tumerone, atlantone, and zingiberone), sugars, proteins, and resins. It is popular in indigenous system of medicine like ayurveda, siddha, unani and homeopathy for the treatment of diseases and human ailments. A wide range of biological and pharmacological activities of curcumin has been investigated and is used for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, hepatoprotective, dissolve gallstones, anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal effects, tonic for the digestive system; to dispel worms, strengthen the body, antifertility, menstrual irregularity anti diabetic, antivenom, hypolipidemic, nephroprotective, anticoagulant, anorexia, cough, rheumatism, sinusitis and anti HIV properties. Because of curcumin’s rapid plasma clearance and conjugation, its therapeutic usefulness has been somewhat limited, leading researchers to investigate the benefits of complexing curcumin with other substances to increase systemic bioavailability. Numerous in-progress clinical trials should provide an even deeper understanding of the mechanisms and therapeutic potential of curcumin.The present review is therefore, an effort to give a detailed survey of the literature on its properties.