Curcuma Longa Review

Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 65 (2008) 1631 – 1652 1420-682X/08/111631-22 DOI 10.1007/s00018-008-7452-4  Birkhuser Verlag, Basel, 2008

Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences

Review Curcumin: From ancient medicine to current clinical trials H. Hatchera, R. Planalpb, J. Chob, F. M. Tortia,d, * and S. V. Tortic,d a

Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157 (USA) Department of Chemistry University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH (USA) c Department of Biochemistry, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157 (USA), Fax: +1-336-716-0255, e-mail: [email protected] d Comprehensive Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157 (USA) b

Received 1 October 2007; received after revision 16 January 2008; accepted 24 January 2008 Online First 7 March 2008 Abstract. Curcumin is the active ingredient in the traditional herbal remedy and dietary spice turmeric (Curcuma longa). Curcumin has a surprisingly wide range of beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity. The pleiotropic activities of curcumin derive from its complex chemistry as well as its ability to influence multiple signaling pathways, including survival pathways such as those regulated by NF-kB, Akt, and growth factors; cytoprotective pathways dependent on Nrf2; and metastatic and angio-

genic pathways. Curcumin is a free radical scavenger and hydrogen donor, and exhibits both pro- and antioxidant activity. It also binds metals, particularly iron and copper, and can function as an iron chelator. Curcumin is remarkably non-toxic and exhibits limited bioavailability. Curcumin exhibits great promise as a therapeutic agent, and is currently in human clinical trials for a variety of conditions, including multiple myeloma, pancreatic cancer, myelodysplastic syndromes, colon cancer, psoriasis and Alzheimer
s disease.

Keywords. Curcumin, inflammation, antioxidant, angiogenesis, anti-tumor, anticancer.

History and traditional uses of curcumin The polyphenol curcumin is the active ingredient in the herbal remedy and dietary spice turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn). This vibrant yellow spice, derived from the rhizome of the plant (Fig. 1) [1], has a long history of use in traditional medicines of China and India [2]. The rhizome of turmeric has been crushed into a powder and used in Asian cookery, medicine, cosmetics, and fabric dying for more than 2000 years [2]. Early European explorers to the Asian continent introduced this important spice to the Western world in the 14th century [3].

* Corresponding author.

Use of curcumin as a folk remedy continues today. As part of the ancient Indian medical system, Ayurveda, a poultice of turmeric paste is used to treat common eye infections, and to dress wounds, treat bites, burns, acne and various skin diseases [4]. The American pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson even makes turmeric Band-Aids for the Indian market [5]. In Northern India, women are given a tonic of fresh turmeric paste with powder of dried ginger roots and honey in a glass of hot milk to drink twice daily after childbirth. A poultice of turmeric is also applied to the perineum to aid in the healing of any lacerations in the birth canal [6]. Powdered turmeric is taken with boiled milk to cure cough and related respiratory ailments [4], and roasted turmeric is an ingredient used as an antidysenteric for children [4]. This ancient remedy is