CURCUMIN

Curcumin is extracted from turmeric which is derived from rhizome of the plant “curcuma longa”.
Curcuminoids give turmeric its characteristics yellow color. Curcumin (c12 h20 o6) is an orange-yellow crystalline
powder which is the most active component of turmeric, which makes up 2-5% of the spice. It is hydrophobic in
nature and is soluble in dimethylsulfoxide, acetone, ethanol and oils. It is also referred to as yellow ginger, yellow
root, ukon or natural yellow.

STRUCTURAL FORMULA OF CURCUMIN:

STABILITY OF CURCUMIN:
Curcumin is unstable at neutral and basic pH & is degraded to ferulic acid & ferulyl methane. More than 90% of
the curcumin decomposes rapidly inn buffer systems at neutral-basic pH & this degradation occurs due to oxidative
mechanism. It is also unstable in phosphate buffer at pH 7.4. Curcumin exists in polar solvent as keto-enol tautomer
& diketo tautomer in non-polar solvents.
METABOLISM OF CURCUMIN:
Once absorbed, Curcumin is subjected to sulfation and glucuronidation at various tissue sites. (majority,
liver)
 Major BILIARY METABOLITES: GLUCURONIDES OF TETRAHYDROCURCUMIN (THC) &
HEXAHYDROCURCUMIN (HHC)
  MINOR METABOLITES : DIHYDROFERULIC ACID TOGETHER WITH TRACES OF FERULIC
ACID
Orally administered curcumin is absorbed from the alimentary tract and present in the general blood circulation after
largely being metabolized to the form of glucuronide’s sulfate conjugates.
8 REASONS OF WHY YOU SHOULD SPICE IT UP:
1. Anti-oxidant activity
2. Anti-Inflammatory activity
3. Glutathione synthesis
4. Cancer
5. Cystic fibrosis
6. Alzheimer’s Disease
7. Anti-HIV activity
8. Skin diseases

1. Anti-oxidant activity

- Curcumin is known to protect bio-membranes against peroxidative cell membrane damage

(free-radical-mediated-chain reaction)
2. Anti-Inflammatory activity

- Curcumin suppresses prostalglandin (PG) synthesis. PG is involved in human cancer

development (carcinogen metabolism, tumor cell proliferation).
3. Glutathione synthesis

- -Increases energy, Slows down the aging process, Strengthens immune system, detoxifies
the liver & cells, improves mental focus & clarity.
4. Cancer

- Curcumin has been shown to protect against skin, oral, intestinal, and colon
carcinogenesis. It is also inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells by arresting them in the
various phases of the cell cycle and by including apoptosis.
5. Cystic fibrosis
- In the lungs, CFTR (Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator) mutations ultimately
result in increased mucus concentration and decreased mucus clearance, which leads to progressive lung
disease.
6. Alzheimer’s Disease
- When injected peripherally, curcumin was found to cross the blood brain barrier in an animal model of
Alzheimer’s disease.
 7. Anti-HIV activity
- Curcumin inhibits the LTR (LONG TERMINAL REPEAT). A sequence of viral HIV DNA which activates the
viral genome.
8. Skin diseases
- Curcumin protects skin by quenching free radicals and also reduced wound healing time.

EXTRACTION OF CURCUMIN TO TURMERIC:

Various have been followed on the extraction or isolation of curcumin from turmeric.
 SOLVENT extraction
 supercritical co2 extraction
 ultra-sonic irradiation
 microwave extraction
 water soaked irradiation

SOLVENT EXTRACTION OF CURCUMIN:

SAFETY AND TOXICOLOGY:
Pregnancy and lactation, while studies in pregnant rats, mice, guinea pigs and monkeys suggested the use
of turmeric or curcumin is safe for those animals in pregnancy, there have been no studies involving
pregnant women subjects reported to death.
Based on studies on possible interactions of turmeric with other herbs and medicines, it can be advised that
turmeric (or curcumin supplement) should not be used in the following circumstances without prior
consultation with a qualified medical practitioner:
1. People who are on blood thinning medications (aspirin, warfarin)
2. People who are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen)
3. People who are on the hypotensive drug (reserpine)
Serious adverse effects have not been reported in humans taking high doses of curcumin. A dose
escalation trial in 24 healthy adults found that single oral dosages up to 12g. were safe and adverse effects
were not dose related. 20-40 mg supplementation reported to increase gallbladder contractions in healthy
people.

REFERENCE:
www.slide-share/net.com//curcumin_organic_compound_meaning//
ORGANIC COMPOUND:

CURCUMIN

Submitted To:
Mrs. Riza B. Roque
Submitted By:
Donna Mae D. Alejo