Turmeric: A review on its pharmacology

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the Zingiberaceae family, and has been traditionally used in indigenous medicine and as a spice since antiquity. It has possesses antirheumatic, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, nephroprotective, hypoglycemic, and cardioprotective activities. The most important active principles of turmeric are a group of compounds called curcuminoids which include diferuloylmethane, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin. It follows efficient first-pass metabolism and some degree of intestinal metabolism. Glucuronidation and sulfation of curcumin are major metabolic reaction for its poor systemic availability when administered via the oral route. The metabolites were characterized mainly as glucuronides of tetrahydrocurcumin and hexahydrocurcumin. Curcumin targets various protein kinases, antiapoptotic proteins, interleukins and other vital cellular pathways to produce their pharmacological actions. Curcumin is well-tolerated and has beneficial effects for dyspepsia, peptic ulcer, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, uveitis, orbital pseudotumor and pancreatic cancer. however the most common side effects are nausea and diarrhea.