Curcuma longa (Turmeric): Ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities and toxicity profiles—A review
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Introduction: Curcuma longa, popularly known as Turmeric, is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant used
in folk medicine for the treatment, prevention, and management of various illnesses such as cancer, diabetes,
Arthritis, diarrhoea, inflammation, psoriasis, hepatobiliary diseases, gastric and peptic ulcers.
Results: This study reviewed the ethnomedicinal potentials, phytochemicals, and pharmacological activities of
C. longa. In vitro and in vivo studies reported that C. longa and its major bioactive constituent (curcumin) pos�sess various pharmacological properties. These include; anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-osteoarthritis, antidiar�rheal, cardioprotective, anti-oxidative, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, anti-microbial, renoprotective and
anti-inflammatory activities. This review demonstrated that the various pharmacological activities of C. longa
might be attributed to the presence of numerous bioactive compounds. However, these varying potentials have
not been effectively analysed for optimal application in developing new therapies. Also, the applicability and
mode of action of the different bioactive compounds found in C. longa have not been fully exploited.
Conclusion: This study showed that C. longa could be exploited by pharmaceutical industries to develop phar�maceutical products. However, there is a need for human clinical trials and quality control studies to establish
effective and safe doses of C. longa and its major bioactive constituent-curcumin suitable for treating several
diseases
Keywords
Q Science (General), QH301 Biology