Turmeric is not only used as a spice and a colouring agent, but it is also used
as an ethnomedicine in the Ayurveda since time immemorial. Turmeric (Curcuma
longa) contains curcuminoids, and various sesquiterpenes which contributes towards a
wide array of biological activities, e.g. anti-inflammatory, wound healing, anticancer,
and antibacterial activities. Curcuminoids and sesquiterpenes are the main constituents
of turmeric, for which a plethora of molecular targets, and pharmacological activities
have been reported. The most studied activity of the curcuminoids present in turmeric
in the recent year is the anticarcinogenic activity. Experiments have shown that
curcuminoids modify the gene expression of cancer related markers. Curcumin has the
potential to regulate genes related to cell division, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis.
The anticarcinogenic activity of turmeric has been studied in case of lung, breast,
prostate, ovarian, colorectal cancers, leukemia, and multiple myelomas. Turmeric
significantly inhibits benzopyrene induced forestomach papillomas. Dietary turmeric,
along with catechin, is a chemoprotective agent. Besides anticarcinogenic effect, the
antibacterial activity of turmeric against various bacteria, such as Streptococcus aureus,
Trichophyton gypseum, Salmonella paratyphi, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis has
also been explored. Curcuma longa rhizome extracts and oils were found to have
antibacterial role against pathogenic strains of Gram +ve (Streptococcus aureus,
Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Gram -ve (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas
aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium) bacteria. The active ingredients of turmeric can
be used as lead compounds to design potential drugs for the treatment of different types
of bacterial diseases and cancers.
Keywords: Turmeric, Curcuminoids, Antibacterial, Anticarcinogenic, Ayurveda,
Spice.
