Curcumin: A Review for Health Benefits

Curcuma longa (Turmeric) is a popular and widely used Indian rhizomatous medicinal plant from the family Zingiberaceae. Curcumin, Demethoxycurcumin (DMC), and Bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) are the constituents of the turmeric and are collectively known as curcuminoids. Curcumin (1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione) or Diferuloylmethane is well-known for its different biological activities such as Anti-inflammatory, Anti-viral, Anti-oxidant, Anti-cancer, Anti-bacterial, Anti-asthmatic, Anti-arthritis, Anti-diabetic, Anti-venom, Anti-obesity, Wound-healing, in depression and anxiety and other activities. Various clinical trials and their observations regarding these activities have been discussed here. Curcumin is a tautomeric compound existing in enolic form in organic solvents and as a keto form in water. This review article summarizes a various role and activity of Curcumin.