The Chemistry and Bioactive Components of Turmeric

Sreeraj Gopi, Sabu Thomas, Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara, Bharat B Aggarwal, Augustine Amalraj, Sreeraj Gopi, Sabu Thomas, Ajaikumar B Kunnumakkara, Bharat B Aggarwal, Augustine Amalraj

• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
• Year: 2020
• eBook ISBN: 9781839160592
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Tecnologia e ingegneria
• Subtopic: Scienze dell'alimentazione

Turmeric belongs to the family Zingiberaceae and is a yellow spice of high economic importance due to its medicinal value. Cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the world, it is used extensively as a colouring, flavouring and preserving agent. In recent years, several drugs derived from natural products have been developed and current drug research is actively investigating the possible therapeutic roles of many Ayurvedic medicines, most notable among those being examined is turmeric. The wide range of pharmacological activities attributed to turmeric come mainly from curcuminoids and two related compounds, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin.
This comprehensive book brings together the research carried out on constituents obtained from turmeric and highlights their chemical and biological activities. Comprising 17 chapters, each written by experts in their respective field and curated by authorities, it will be invaluable to all those who are involved in the production, processing, marketing, and the use of turmeric. Appealing to researchers and professionals in natural products, nutraceuticals and food chemists, this book is exposing some of the myths and showing areas for possible future use.

CHAPTER 1

Turmeric – The Miraculous Herb from Ancient India and its Historical Background

K. S. Akhila^*a and Sreeraj Gopi ^b

^a Ayushmadam Ayurveda Hospital and Research Center, Annanad Post, Chalakudy–680 309, Kerala, India,

^b R&D Centre, Aurea Biolabs (P) Ltd, Kolenchery, Cochin–682 311, Kerala, India
^*E-mail: [email protected]

Even though Ayurveda utilises drugs of plant, animal and mineral origin for the purposes of treatment, most of the Ayurvedic formulations consist of herbal drugs. Turmeric (haridra) is an important drug among them. It has been used as a food ingredient and medicine for centuries, which indicates its great medicinal value. Haridra is a part of many Ayurvedic formulations as well as being used as a single medicine, both for internal and external application. For some minor surgical procedures in Ayurveda such as ksharasutra and jalookavacharana, haridra choorna is must. It is a drug with thiktha (bitter) katu (pungent) rasa (taste), rooksha (dryness) laghu (lightness) guna (quality), ushna (hot) veerya (potency), katu (pungent) vipaka (post-digestive taste) and it balances all three doshas: kapha, pitha and vata. The four varieties of haridra: haridra, amara haridra, vana haridra, daru haridra are different in their properties. Among them, haridra is considered to be the common turmeric, Curcuma longa Linn. In various Ayurveda treatises the different mode of application of haridra for various diseases has been mentioned. It is indicated as a part of formulations such as choorna (powder), lepa (medicated paste), medicinal decoction, oils, etc.

1.1 Introduction

The history of Ayurveda starts from 5000 BC onwards when the Vedas, the first written dogma in India, is considered to be written. So, 5000–3000 BC is considered as the Vedic period. Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda are the four vedas and their upavedas are Ithihasam, Dhanurvedam, Gandharvavedam and Ayurvedam, respectively. Ayurveda is the upaveda of Atharvaveda. ¹ Therefore, it can be assumed that Ayurvedic principles have been in practice since the Vedic period. Hence it is clear that the origin of Ayurveda is about 5000 years ago. In the Vedas, especially Rigveda and Atharvaveda, there are various references about basic anatomy, medicinal herbs, surgery, examination procedures of patients, treatment principles, etc. According to Atharva veda, oushadha (medicine) can be divided into four types: atharvani, angirasi, daivi and manushi. ² The first three categories are related to vitality or will power and the final one, manushi, was the main line of treatment in the Vedic period, in which internal medicines were used. Ayurveda, the science of life, deals with natural methods to treat and prevent diseases and ways to maintain health. For that, Ayurveda utilises the drugs of plant, animal, mineral and metal origin. But most of the Ayurvedic medicinal formulations consist of herbal drugs. The ancient Ayurvedic treatises very well describe the identification, synonyms, properties, actions and varieties of various herbs.

1.2 Turmeric (Haridra) – in the Vedic Period

Turmeric, termed Curcuma longa Linn., belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. It is cultivated all over India as a commercial crop, as it has been used as a food ingredient in various Indian cuisines. It is a tall herb, with large leaves. The useful part of turmeric is its rhizome. In Ayurveda, turmeric is called haridra. It has been mentioned in various Ayurveda treatises from the Vedic period onwards. In Agnipurana, it is mentioned that haridra was used for the treatment of diseases such as kamala, ³ prameha, ⁴ vranaropana ⁵ and arshas. ⁶

1.3 Haridra in Nighantus

According to its morphological specialities and other physicochemical and pharmaceutical properties, many synonyms are given to haridra in various treatises. Nighantus are the main books that discuss those synonyms in detail. Haridra, rajani, nisa, nisakhya, varavarnini, suvarna, varnini, peetha, varangi, peethangi, hemaragini, varnathree, haritha, pinga, syama, kanchani, haldi, haldika, varnavathi, varnavilasini, rangini, vishaghna, siva, deergharaga, gouri, janishta, para, aneshatha, gandhapalashika, gharshani, jwaranthika, kaveri, mehaghni, besava, pindabhara, pinda, paribhra, varnada, mangalya, lambi, bhadra, sobhana, jayanthi, krimighna, yoshipriya, hattavilasini, bharalatha and romashamulika are the common synonyms of haridra that are mentioned in Nighantus. The Dhanwanthari Nighantu ⁷ (10th century AD) contains 18 synonyms of haridra. The number of synonyms mentioned in various other Nighantus are as follows: Shodalanighantu ⁸ (12 AD) – 10, Madanapala Nighantu ⁹ (14 AD) – 10, Kayyadeva Nighantu ¹⁰ (15 AD) – 20, Bhavaprakasa Nighantu ¹¹ (16 AD) – 10, Raja Nighantu ¹² (17 AD) – 30, Shaligrama Nighantu ¹³ (19 AD) – 10, Mahoushadhi Nighantu ¹⁴ (20 AD) – 14, Priya Nighantu ¹⁵ (20 AD) – 4, Nighantu Adarsh ¹⁶ (20 AD) – 4. The names haridra, varavarnini, suvarna, peetha, varangi, peethangi, lambi, etc. are given according to morphological features. But the names jwaranthika, mehaghni, krimighna, vishaghna indicate pharmaceutical properties.

1.4 Varieties of Haridra

Bhavaprakasa describes four varieties of haridra: haridra, amra haridra, vana haridra and daru haridra. ¹⁷ In theses varieties haridra is the one which is used very commonly in Ayurveda formulations, and is identified as Curcuma longa Linn., i.e. common turmeric. The rhizome of the plant Curcuma amada Roxb. is known as amra haridra, which belongs to zingeberaceae family. It is commonly called mango ginger and is cultivated throughout India; due to its rich flavour it is used in making chutneys. Research reveals its anticancer activities against some human cancer cell lines. Also, the rhizome extract shows antioxidant, anti-allergic, antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. Curcuma aromatica Salisb. (Zingiberaceae family) is considered as vana haridra. Next to common turmeric it is the most widely used turmeric species that has been mentioned in various Ayurveda medicines. In Ayurveda treatises it is described as a remedy for various skin diseases and respiratory disorders. It has been in traditional use as a medicinal cosmetic to enhance complexion. At the same time, it carries a very promising therapeutic value as it is very effective in sprains, bruises, skin diseases, etc. It has also been used as an antidote for snake bites. It is already proven that this particular drug has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-allergic, antioxidant, anticancerous and wound healing properties. Daruharidra is a native shrub that is found commonly in the Himalayas, India. The plant Berberis aristata is considered as daruharidra, which belongs to the family berberidaceae. It is commonly called Indian barberry or tree turmeric. According to the ancient Ayurveda treatise bhavaprakasa, it is a very good remedy for various eye, ear and mouth diseases. It has been used for treating various skin disorders and haemorrhoids. Its fruits are a rich source of vitamin C, the roots are used to prepare some types of alcoholic drinks and the whole plant is a very good source of dye. In Ayurveda, it is used for the preparation of a special type of anjana (collyrium) known as rasanjana, which is useful in infective conjunctivitis.

1.5 Rasa Panchaka (Five Properties of Drug) of Haridra and its Therapeutic Effects

According to Ayurveda principles each dravya consists of five properties called rasapanchaka. They are: rasa (taste), guna – qualities, virya – potency, vipaka – taste conversion after digestion, prabhava – action that cannot be explained. They are intended to explain the pharmacological activity of the particular drug. Of these, the first four, i.e. rasa, guna, virya and vipaka, are perceptible. Haridra is tiktha katu (bitter and pungent) in taste, rooksha (dry) in quality, ushna (hot) in potency and katu (pungent) in post-digestive taste. ¹⁸ These properties clearly declare its action on tridoshas (vata, pitha and kapha) and haridra balances all three doshas. It has been used as a home remedy for thousands of years and its effect on various physical ailments has been proven naturally by repeated usage. It is found to increase skin tone and complexion, heal wounds and scars, manage chronic wounds and skin lesions and is used as an antidote for poisoning. Many studies have been done on the therapeutic effects of turmeric that report anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, anti-asthmatic and anticancerous properties.

1.6 Haridra in Ayurveda Treatises – Charaka Samhitha, Ashtanga Hrudayam, Susrutha Samhitha and ...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Chapter 1 Turmeric – The Miraculous Herb from Ancient India and its Historical Background
• Chapter 2 Chemistry of Turmeric
• Chapter 3 Geographical Variations of Turmeric and Curcumin
• Chapter 4 Turmeric – Active Ingredients Other than Curcuminoids
• Chapter 5 Curcuminoids – Isolation, Formulations and Bioavailability Problems
• Chapter 6 Curcumin Pharmacokinetics and Plasma Determination
• Chapter 7 Curcumin: A Potential Molecule for the Prevention and Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases
• Chapter 8 Biological Activities of Curcuminoids
• Chapter 9 Biosynthesis of Curcumin and Molecular Targets and the Biological Mechanism of Curcumin
• Chapter 10 The Effect of Turmeric in Gut Diseases
• Chapter 11 Molecular Docking Studies of Curcumin
• Chapter 12 Biological Activities of Non-curcuminoids
• Chapter 13 Toxicology Aspects of Turmeric
• Chapter 14 Production, Economics and Marketing of Turmeric
• Chapter 15 Nanodrug Delivery Formulations for Curcumin Absorption
• Chapter 16 Curcumin as Dietary Supplements Against Various Diseases: An Insight into the New Trends and Future Perspectives
• Subject Index