Pharmacological Effects of Curcuma longa, Focused on Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant and Immunomodulatory Effects

Curcuma longa (C. longa) or turmeric is a plant with a long history of use in traditional medicine, especially for treatment of inflammatory conditions. Also, pharmacological effects such as antioxidant and anti-microbial properties were described for this plant. This chapter reports the latest knowledge on antiinflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of C. longa based on a literature survey using various databases and appropriate keywords until the end of July 2020. Various studies showed anti-inflammatory effects of C. longa, including decreased total white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils and eosinophils, as well as its effects on serum levels of inflammatory mediators such as phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and total protein in different inflammatory conditions. The anti-toxin effects of C. longa were also reported in several studies. The plant extracts decreased malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels but increased thiol, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels in oxidative stress conditions. Treatment with C. longa improved the levels of IgE, pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-4, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and IL-17 as well as anti-inflammatory cytokines such as interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) and T helper cells 1 Th1/Th2 ratio in various conditions with disturbed immune balance. The reviewed papers showed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of C. longa, indicating potential therapeutic property of the plant for treatment of inflammatory, oxidative and immune-dysregulation diseases.

Keywords: Anti-inflammatory effect, Antioxidant effect, Curcuma longa, Immunomodulatory effect, Inflammation, Oxidative stress.