Curcumin, a component of golden spice: From bedside to bench and back

• Published in: Biotechnology advances Vol. 32; no. 6; pp. 1053 - 1064
• Main Authors: Prasad, Sahdeo, Gupta, Subash C., Tyagi, Amit K., Aggarwal, Bharat B.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Inc 01.11.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Analogs; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Anticancer properties; Antiinfectives and antibacterials; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Cancer; Cell Line; Chronic diseases; Clinical trials; Curcuma - chemistry; Curcuma longa; Curcumin; Curcumin analogs; Diabetes; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Inflammation; Plant Extracts; Spices; Chronic diseases; Clinical trials; Curcumin; Inflammation; Curcumin analogs; Chronic disease; Analog; Spice; Clinical trial
• ISSN: 0734-9750; 1873-1899
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2014.04.004

Although the history of the golden spice turmeric (Curcuma longa) goes back thousands of years, it is only within the past century that we learned about the chemistry of its active component, curcumin. More than 6000 articles published within the past two decades have discussed the molecular basis for the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and anticancer activities assigned to this nutraceutical. Over sixty five clinical trials conducted on this molecules, have shed light on the role of curcumin in various chronic conditions, including autoimmune, cardiovascular, neurological, and psychological diseases, as well as diabetes and cancer. The current review provides an overview of the history, chemistry, analogs, and mechanism of action of curcumin.