Curcuma longa

scientific name:

Curcuma longa L.

synonym:

Curcuma domestica Valeton

Botanical family:

ZINGIBERACEAE

Botanical description

Perennial aromatic herb 60-100 cm tall with short stem and tufted leaves. At base of stem a primary oval tuber branching to produce many rhizomes, with distinctive smell and taste, brownish and scaly on the surface and bright orange inside. Leaves uniformly green, tufted 30-50 cm x 7-8 cm, blades lanceolate acuminate, papery; inflorescence a scape, 10-15 x 5-7 cm, enclosed by leaf sheaths; flowers 5 cm long, white, thin, translucent; fruits are not produced.

Voucher(s)

Jiménez,685,JBSD

jaundice:

rhizome, decoction with salt, orally²

abscess:

rhizome, decoction, orally¹

jaundice:

rhizome, aqueous maceration, orally²

liver disfunction:

rhizome, aqueous maceration, orally²

The rhizome of Curcuma longa is widely used for human consumption and is an industrial source of essential oil.

For abscess and jaundice :

Prepare a decoction with 20 grams (4 teaspoonfuls) of rhizome in 1 liter (4 cups) of water, and boil for at least 10 minutes in a covered pot. Leave to cool down, and drink 1 cup 3-4 times a day.

For jaundice and hepatic disorders:

Grind 20 grams (4 teaspoonfuls) of rhizome and add to 1 liter (4 cups) of boiled water. Let the preparation settle for 12 hours. Filter and drink in several portions within the following 12 hours⁴⁷.

According to published and other information:

Use for jaundice and hepatic disorders is classified as REC, based on the significant traditional use documented in the TRAMIL surveys, and on available published scientific information.

Due to the health risks involved with jaundice and hepatic disorders, an initial medical evaluation is recommended. The use of this resource can be considered complementary to medical treatment, unless it is contraindicated.

Should there be a notable worsening of the patient’s condition, or should the hepatic disorder last more than 5 days, or 3 days in children under 5 years, seek medical attention.

Not for use by women intending to become pregnant, during pregnancy, during lactation or by children under 3 years old.

Use for abscess is classified as REC, based on the significant traditional use (WHO)⁴ documented in the TRAMIL surveys.

Not for use in patients with obstructions in the bile-conducting structures, such as stones, unless under supervision of a physician, nor in people with a record of hypersensitivity to the plant^4-5.

Rhizome powder can cause reactions in case of contact with the skin.

TRAMIL Research⁴⁸(will be translated in 3rd Edition)

El extracto acuoso liofilizado, de rizoma fresco, concentración de 66.67 mg/mL de agua, vía oral (1000 mg/kg/día) a 20 ratones Hsd:ICR (10 machos y 10 hembras) de 21.19 + 1.95 gramos, durante 65 días con 14 días adicionales de observación, según el protocolo EPA.OPPTS.870.3100. El control se realizó con agua (0.5 mL/20 g de ratón) a otros 10 ratones de la misma cepa y características. Durante el ensayo ni en el periodo de observación posterior, se presentó mortalidad, ni se evidenció ningún signo de toxicidad (Test Polidimensional de Irwing), a excepción de piloerección leve en algunos machos durante algunos días de las semanas 3, 6, 9, 10 y 11. No se observaron cambios en los pesos corporales más que los normales en la curva de crecimiento. La autopsia macroscópica no evidenció alteraciones en los órganos.

The root and curcumin (diferuloyl methane) were shown to have antimutagenic activity in aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁)-induced genotoxicity (0.5 mg/plate) in Salmonella TA98 and TA100 strains. The administration of curcuma in the diet (0.05%) of rat significantly diminished the number of AFB₁-induced positive foci in g-glutamyl-transpeptidase³⁹.

The aqueous extract and curcumin of the root inhibited the chemical carcinogenesis induced by 4-nitro-O-phenylenediamine or 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine, in the in vitro mutagenicity test on Salmonella typhimurium (TA98 y TA100)⁴⁰.

The aqueous extract from the rhizome by intraperitoneal administration to mouse reached an LD₅₀ = 430 mg/kg⁴¹.

The root in the daily feed of rat for 3 months neither modified food intake nor increased weight, nor produced any histological changes⁴².

The ethanolic extract from the rhizome administered orally to mice, at a single dose (0.5, 1 or 3 g/kg) and at repeated doses (100 mg/kg/day) for 90 days, did not cause a significant increase in weight and there were no substantial changes in heart and lung weight. The hematologic studies revealed a significant decline of leukocytes and hematocytes compared to controls. There was an increase in the weight of the sexual organs as well as in the motility and quantity of the sperm in male mice treated. There were no toxic effects on spermatozoa⁴³.

The administration of curcuma at 0.5% or curcumin at 0.015% in the feed of mice did not prove to be mutagenic, and modified neither the fertility rate nor the number of live or dead embryos⁴⁴.

The extract from the dried rhizome by intraperitoneal administration to female rats showed anti-implantation effects⁴⁵.

The rhizome powder may be allergenic on repeated contact with the skin⁴⁶.

There is no available information documenting the safety of medicinal use in children or in women during pregnancy or when breast feeding.

The rhizome contains quinoids: 2-hydroxymethyl-anthraquinone⁶; sesquiterpenes: α and ɣ allantoin, bisabolene⁷, bisacumol, bisacurone⁸, caryophyllene, curcumene⁹, curcumenone^8,19; steroids: cholesterol, campesterol, stigmasterol¹⁰; monoterpenes: cineole¹¹, camphene, borneol, camphor, terpinene^9,19; phenylpropanoids: caffeic acid, ρ-coumaric acid¹², 4-hydroxy cinnamoyl-methane¹³; lignans: iso-procurcumenol⁸, 4-hydroxy-cinnamoyl-(feruloxyl)-methane¹⁴; benzenoids: curcumin and derivatives¹⁵, guaiacol¹⁶; carbohydrates: ukonan A¹⁷; alkaloids¹⁸; essential oil: turmerone, dehydroturmerone, zingiberene¹⁹, atlantone, curcumenol¹⁹.

The plant also contains other curcumins^20-21: demethoxycurcumin; fatty acids: caprylic acid; 1-phenylhydroxy-n-pentane²² and polysaccharides²³.

Proximate analysis of 100 g of rhizome²⁴: calories: 354; water: 11.4%; protein: 7.8%; fat: 9.9%; carbohydrate: 64.9%; fiber: 6.7%; ash: 6%; calcium: 182 mg; phosphorus: 268 mg; iron: 41.4 mg; sodium: 38 mg; potassium: 25 mg; carotene: 0 µg; thiamine: 0.15 mg; riboflavin: 0.23 mg; niacin: 5.14 mg; ascorbic acid: 26 mg.

TRAMIL Research²⁵

The assessment of hepatoprotective activity was performed in vitro using isolated rat hepatocytes experimentally poisoned with terbutyl-hydroperoxide (TBH). Activity was assessed in vitro against free radicals in the diphenyl-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical inhibition test. The experiments were conducted using the aqueous extract from the rhizome (infusion, 15 minutes; then maceration, 4 hours) with dosage stated in mg of dried vegetal material. At doses equal to or higher than 0.5 mg/mL of suspension, the aqueous extract from the rhizome counteracted TBH-induced cellular necrosis, without modifying lipid peroxidation. Anti-free radical activity was very weak.

The rhizome had hepato-protective²² and cytostatic activity in experimental models in vitro^26-27 and in vivo in mice at a dose of 100 mg/kg²⁸.

The rhizome has been experimentally reported as having anti-inflammatory properties^4,29.

The hydroalcoholic extract (50%) from the rhizome, orally administered, significantly diminished cholesterol and triglyceride levels in rat blood at a dose (stated in dried plant weight) of 30 mg/g³⁰.

Rhizome powderadministered orally (500 mg, 4 times a day, during 1 week) was significantly beneficial in 116 patients with acid, flatulent and atonic dyspepsia in a double blind and randomized trial⁴.

Curcumin is a yellow pigment that has been shown to counteract paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in the rat³¹.

The anti-inflammatory activity of the rhizome is attributed to curcumin and the essential oil. Curcumin is much less active when administered orally than intraperitoneally, although it retains its hepatoprotective, choleretic and cholagogue properties³².

Turmerone is claimed to have hepatotonic, choleretic^33-34, cholagogue and anti-inflammatory activity. Its effects are boosted by curcumin^35-36.

Borneol is claimed to have hepatoprotective effects, while zingiberene is believed to have anti-ulcerous properties³³.

1-phenyl-hydroxy-n-pentane stimulated the secretion of secretin, gastrin and pancreatic bicarbonate in dogs and humans; it also contributed to the maintenance of gastric pH²².

Several compounds present in the rhizome are reported as having anti-coagulant activity in the rat³⁷.

A preparation with the leaf of Andrographis paniculata, stem and root of Cyclea barbata, leaf of Morinda citrifolia, fruit and bean of Merremia mammosa, rhizome of Curcuma domesticaand C.xanthorrhiza, has been patented as a phytotherapeutical medicine for oral administration against hepatitis B and unspecific-type hepatitis (non-A, non-B), in association with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome³⁸.

Pharmacopoeia:

Ed.2

References:

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5 PDR^® for Herbal Medicines, 2003 Feb.28,2003. URL: http://www.mdcc.edu/medical/library/catalog2.htm

6 OGBEIDE ON, EDUAVEGUAVOEN OI, PARVEZ M, 1985 Identification of 2-(hydroxymethyl) anthraquinone in Curcuma domestica. Pak J Sci 37(1/4):15-17.

7 SU HCF, HORVAT R, JILANI G, 1982 Isolation, purification, and characterization of insect repellents from Curcuma longa L. J Agric Food Chem 30:290-292.

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22 KISO Y, SUZUKI Y, WATANABE N, OSHIMA Y, HIKINO H, 1983 Antihepatotoxic principles of Curcuma longa rhizomes. Planta Med 49(3):185-187.

23 GONDA R, TOMODA M, SHIMIZU N, KANARI M, 1990 Characterization of polysaccharides having activity on the reticuloendothelial system from the rhizome of Curcuma longa. Chem Pharm Bull Tokyo 38(2):482-486.

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31 DIXIT VP, JAIN P, JOSHI SC, 1988 Hypolipidaemic effects of Curcuma longa L. & Nardostachys jatamansi in triton-induced hyperlipidaemic rats. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 32(4):299-304.

32 DONATUS IA, SARDJOKO, VERMEULEN NPE, 1990 Cytotoxic and cytoprotective activities of curcumin. Effects on paracetamol induced cytotoxicity, lipid peroxidation and glutathione depletion in rat hepatocytes. Biochem Pharmacol 39(12):1869-1875.

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49 PAZOS L, COTO T, GONZALEZ S, 2006 Toxicidad oral subcrónica, dosis repetida, en ratón, del extracto de rizoma fresco de Curcuma longa. Informe TRAMIL. Laboratorio de Ensayos Biológicos, LEBi, Universidad de Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided is for educational purposes only for the benefit of the general public and health professionals. It is not intended to take the place of either the written law or regulations. Since some parts of plants could be toxic, might induce side effects, or might have interactions with certain drugs, anyone intending to use them or their products must first consult with a physician or another qualified health care professional. TRAMIL has no responsibility whatsoever towards the user for any decision, action or omission made in relation to the information contained in this Pharmacopoeia.

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