European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

CURCUMIN: AN AGE-OLD MEDICINAL BLESSING IN ERA OF 20TH CENTURY

*Prof. Deeksha S. Chaskar, Prof. Sayali S. Kulkarni, Hritik D. Chaudhary, Kiran S. Nagulkar

ABSTRACT

This review emphasizes on therapeutics and medicinal properties of curcumin. Turmeric is a spice which is commonly used by everyone in day to day life for different purpose. From ancient times, as prescribed by Ayurveda. Curcumin has been used to treat various disease conditions. In recent centuries curcumin has been used as active drug constituents as anticancer, anti-arthritic, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-amyloid and antiviral, anti-anxiety. Extensive research over the past half century has shown that curcumin (diferuloyl methane), a component of a golden spice turmeric (Curcuma longa), can modulate multiple cell signalling pathways. Extensive clinical trials over the past quarter century have addressed the pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of this nutraceutical against numerous diseases in humans. The purpose of this review is to provide a brief overview of therapeutics and medicinal importance of curcumin in era of 20th century.

Keywords: Curcumin, Therapeutics, Disease conditions, Drug.