Curcumin

Abstract

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a yellow pigment found in turmeric (Curcuma longa). It has been utilized in Ayurveda, an alternative medicine system heavily practiced in the Indian subcontinent. Curcumin is a compound that has been the subject of extensive research over the past few decades due to its potential therapeutic attributes as an anti-inflammatory agent targeting NF-κB and other associated products and its anti-proliferative activity in tumor cells potentiate curcumin role in the treatment and prevention of cancers. Curcumin and rhizome extract of C. longa have been shown to exhibit antimicrobial activity against a wide variety of microorganisms. Despite these huge beneficial characteristics, curcumin usage is limited due to its low water solubility, bioavailability, cellular absorption, and chemical instability. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a comprehensive overview of curcumin, its beneficial role, and applications in the maintenance of health, with a focus on its antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties.