Sajida Parveen Malik
Plant isolated compounds have been in use to treat various ailments and to support normal physiological functions since long. Curcumin is also known for its beneficial health effects in the world of phytochemicals. Chemical name of curcumin is diferuloylmethane and it is extracted from turmeric and used for the prevention and cure of different inflammatory diseases. Inflammation is one of the root causes of diseases like arthritis, obesity, metabolic diseases like type II diabetes, pancreatitis, and neurodegenerative diseases cardiovascular even certain types of cancer. In Ayurveda medicine, turmeric has long been used for the treatment of different inflammatory disorders. Recent studies have shown that turmeric has an ingredient curcumin that is effectively applicable to therapeutic processes. Further, evidence has shown that inflammatory cell invasion, proliferation and angiogenesis can be inhibited using curcumin, through multiple molecular targets. Anti-inflammatory activity of Curcumin is carried out by suppressing of protein kinases, inflammatory cytokines, transcription factors, and enzymes that all promote inflammation, thus acts as a safe and non-toxic drug. However, curcumin’s efficacy is hindered by poor absorption and low bioavailability, which limit its translation into clinics. This study summarizes anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects of curcumin.