Biological activities of Curcuma longa L

There are several data in the literature indicating a great variety of pharmacological activities of Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae), which exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-human immunodeficiency virus, anti-bacteria, antioxidant effects and nematocidal activities. Curcumin is a major component in Curcuma longa L., being responsible for its biological actions. Other extracts of this plant has been showing potency too. In vitro, curcumin exhibits anti-parasitic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and gastrointestinal effects; and also inhibits carcinogenesis and cancer growth. In vivo, there are experiments showing the anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory potency of curcumin and extracts of C. longa L. by parenteral and oral application in animal models. In this present work we make an overview of the pharmacological activities of C. longa L., showing its importance.     

Studies on antidermatophytic activity of waste leaves of Curcuma longa L.

During antidermatophytic screening of some essential oils, Curcuma longa L. exhibited the strongest antifungal activity, completely inhibiting the mycelial growth of ringworm, caused by the fungi- Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The essential oil from leaves of Curcuma longa was fungicidal at 2.5 μl/ml at which it tolerated heavy doses of inoculum. The fungicidal activity of the oil was thermostable up to 80 °C and self life up to 24 months in storage. The oil also showed a broad fungitoxic spectrum, inhibiting the mycelial growth of other fungi, viz., Epidermophyton floccosum, M. nanum, T. rubrum, T. violaceum. Moreover, up to 5 % concentration it did not exhibit any adverse effect on mammalian skins. The oil has been formulated in the form of an ointment, 1 % w/v and subjected to topical testing on patients of the Out Patient Department (OPD) at Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, Allahabad. Patients were selected on the basis of KOHpositive results and diagnosed tenia corporis. After the second week of treatment, all patients were KOH- negative. At the end of medication, 75 % of patients recovered completely while 15 % showed significant improvement from the disease. The ointment thus, can be exploited commercially after ongoing successful clinical trials. Relationship of the dermatophytes to the toxicity of the oil vis-a-vis phylogeny using molecular data of the pathogens have also been discussed.     

HPLC-ESI-MS/MS分析姜黄中姜黄素类化合物

运用HPLC-ESI-MS/MS方法分析姜黄中姜黄素类化合物。利用高效液相色谱-电喷雾多级串联质谱(HPLC-ESI-MSn)技术,以Venusil XBP C18(2.1×150 mm,5μm,Agela Technologies)作为分离色谱柱,乙腈和水为流动相,电喷雾离子源(ESI),正负离子同时扫描。根据谱峰的保留时间和质谱一、二级离子碎片信息,结合对照品及参考文献信息,同时检测出姜黄中28种姜黄素类化合物,其中有8种化合物尚未见从姜黄中报道,并解析了它们的二级质谱断裂规律。本文为更加全面研究姜黄中姜黄素类化合物提供参考。     

Efficacy of bioactive compounds from Curcuma longa L. against mosquito larvae

To identify larvicidal compounds from the ethanolic extracts of Curcuma longa root, the active compounds were isolated using activity‐guided fractionation with column chromatography and identified based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS) data. The dipping method was used to determine the larvicidal activities of each compound against 4th‐instar larvae of Culex pipiens pallens. Two compounds were isolated and identified, ar‐turmerone and 8‐hydroxyl‐ar‐turmerone. The two compounds exhibited larvicidal activities against the 4th‐instar larvae of C. pipiens pallens after 24 hr of treatment with LC₅₀ values of 138.86 and 257.68 ppm, respectively. The larvicidal activities of ar‐turmerone and 8‐hydroxyl‐ar‐turmerone against C. pipiens pallens are reported herein for the first time. The elucidation of the structure of these phytochemicals and their insecticidal activities are important for assessing the potential of this plant as a botanical insecticide.     

姜黄花的组织培养

1　植物名称　姜黄花 (Ｃｕｒｃｕｍａｌｏｎｇａ)。2　材料类别　球茎上的不定芽。3　培养条件　愈伤组织诱导培养基 :( 1 )ＭＳ +6 ＢＡ 1 .0ｍｇ·Ｌ- 1 (单位下同 ) +ＮＡＡ 0 .1。芽分化及增殖培养基 :( 2 )ＭＳ + 6 ＢＡ 1 .0 +ＩＡＡ 0 .1 ;( 3)ＭＳ + 6 ＢＡ 1 .0 +ＫＴ 0 .1 +ＮＡＡ 0 .1。诱导生根培养基 :( 4 ) 1 /2ＭＳ +ＮＡＡ 0 .2。上述培养基均加蔗糖 3%、琼脂 0 .8%,ｐＨ 5 .8。培养基 ( 2 )、( 3)、( 4 )中可加入 0 .0 3%活性碳。培养温度为( 2 5± 2 )℃ ,光照度为 1 5 0 0ｌｘ ,光照时间 1 2ｈ·ｄ- 1 。4　生长与分化…     

Mining and characterization of EST derived microsatellites in Curcuma longa L

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) (Family: Zingiberaceae) is a perennial rhizomatous herbaceous plant often used as a spice since time immemorial. Turmeric plants are also widely known for its medicinal applications. Recently EST-derived SSRs (Simple sequence repeats) are a free by-product of the currently expanding EST (Expressed Sequence Tag) databases. SSRs have been widely applied as molecular markers in genetic studies. Development of high throughput method for detection of SSRs has given a new dimension in their use as molecular markers. A software tool SciRoKo was used to mine class I SSR in Curcuma EST database comprising 12953 sequences. A total of 568 non-redundant SSR loci were detected with an average of one SSR per 14.73 Kb of EST. Furthermore, trinucleotide was found to be the most abundant repeat type among 1-6-nucleotide repeat types. It accounted for 41.19% of the total, followed by the mononucleotide (20.07%) and hexanucleotide repeats (15.14%). Among all the repeat motifs, (A/T)n accounted for the highest proportion followed by (AGG)n. These detected SSRs can be greatly used for designing primers that can be used as markers for constructing saturated genetic maps and conducting comparative genomic studies in different Curcuma species.     

On the identity of turmeric: the typification of Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae)

Although Curcuma L. (Zingiberaceae) is a conserved name, with C. longa L. as its conserved type, the type of C. longa is still uncertain. Numerous discussions about the identity of the taxon called C. longa by Linnaeus have been followed by various attempts to rename turmeric, suggestions as how to settle the type and proposals to conserve the name from a later author in order to stabilize the situation. Unfortunately, none of the previous proposals can be upheld for reasons which are discussed in this article. A lectotype is selected from extant material examined by Linnaeus and an epitype collected near the type locality is designated here. The identity of C. longa is discussed and a colour plate of the species is included. Synonyms of C. longa and their types are discussed and notes on the variability of C. longa are provided.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 157 , 37–46.     

姜黄根茎内生真菌区系分析

目的了解姜黄植物根茎中内生真菌群落组成和生态分布规律。方法采用表面消毒法分别于春、冬季从姜黄植物根茎中分离内生真菌,通过形态特征和基于ITS序列的系统发育分析初步确定其分类地位。结果分离获得51株内生真菌(春季33株、冬季18株),初步鉴定其分别归于5个纲、7个目、8个科、8个属(Fusarium,Gibberel-la,Alternaria,Phomopsis,Diaporthe,Nectria,Botryosphaeria,Mucor),其中镰刀菌属(Fusarium,51.0%)和赤霉属(Gibberel-la,17.6%)为优势菌群;春季分离的内生真菌分属于7个属(分离率为82.5%),而冬季的内生真菌仅归入4个属(分离率为45.0%)。结论姜黄植物中内生真菌具有较丰富的物种和系统发育多样性,在类群组成和分布上存在季节性差异,某些内生真菌(Fusariumsp.)具有宿主偏好性。     

Photolarvicidal effect of curcuminoids from Curcuma longa Linn. against Aedes aegypti larvae

In this study we evaluated the photolarvicidal activity of different curcuminoids forms: Natural Turmeric (NT), Synthetic Curcumin (SC) and Synthetic curcumin formulated with sucrose (SCS) against Aedes aegypti larvae which is the major vector of dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses. Two strategies for curcuminoids delivery were chosen for the experiments: (i) larvae exposed to aqueous solutions of curcuminoids in the concentration range of 5–25 mg/L (w/v) and (ii) larvae exposed to two different types of curcuminoids carriers (pet food). Phototoxic effects of the curcuminoids were evaluated by counting the dead larvae after sunlight exposure, at irradiance range of 30–60 mW/cm². The characteristic photobleaching time for each curcuminoids in solution was also determined in order to infer the safety of these molecules in the natural environment. Curcuminoids solutions showed high photolarvicidal activity after 30 min of sunlight irradiation, with LC₅₀ values of 20.0, 11.6 and 2.2 mg/L for NT, SC and SCS, respectively. The curcuminoids carriers, despite showing high mortality (about 90%), presented photodynamic activity only after 8 h of sunlight irradiation. The curcuminoids remained in the aqueous solution for up to 3 h; subsequently, the maximum absorption peak of these pigments was completely modified. The characteristic photobleaching time for each sample was 6, 32 and 60 min for NT, SC and SCS. These original and relevant results show that the combination of curcuminoids pigments with sunlight establishes an extremely effective alternative for Ae. aegypti larvae control, ensuring high environmental safety due to the low persistence of these molecules in the presence of light.     

Stereostructure of curlone,a sesquiterpenoid of Curcuma longa rhizomes

From the crude drug ‘ukon’ (turmeric) (obtained from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa) a new sesquiterpenoid, curlone, has been isolated and shown as (6S)-2-methyl-6-[(1S)-4-methylene-2-cyclohexen-1-yl]-2-hepten-4-one on the basis of its spectral properties and its chemical conversion to the known (+)-ar-turmerone.     

Cytotoxicity, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of curcumins I-III from Curcuma longa.

Curcumin I, curcumin II (monodemethoxycurcumin) and curcumin III (bisdemethoxycurcumin) from Curcuma longa were assayed for their cytotoxicity, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. These compounds showed activity against leukemia, colon, CNS, melanoma, renal, and breast cancer cell lines. The inhibition of liposome peroxidation by curcumins I-III at 100 microg/ml were 58, 40 and 22%, respectively. The inhibition of COX-I and COX-II enzymes by the curcumins was observed. Curcumins I-III were active against COX-I enzyme at 125 microg/ml and showed 32, 38.5 and 39.2% inhibition of the enzyme, respectively. Curcumins I-III also showed good inhibition of the COX-II enzyme at 125 mg/ml with 89.7, 82.5 and 58.9% inhibition of the enzyme, respectively.     

In vitro acclimatization of Curcuma longa under controlled iso-osmotic conditions

In vitro acclimatization has been validated as the successful key to harden the plantlets before transplanting to ex vitro conditions. In the present study, we investigated the potential of different sugar types (glucose, fructose, galactose, sucrose) in regulating morphological, physiological and biochemical strategies, survival percentage and growth performance, and rhizome traits of turmeric under iso-osmotic potential. Leaf greenness (SPAD value) in acclimatized plantlets (4% glucose; −1.355 MPa osmotic potential) of ‘ST018’ was retained and greater than in ‘PB009’ by 1.69-fold, leading to maintain high F_v/F_m (maximum quantum yield of PSII), Φ_PSII (photon yield of PSII) and P_n (net photosynthetic rate) levels, and retained shoot height, leaf length, leaf width, shoot fresh weight and shoot dry weight after one month upon transplanting to ex vitro conditions. In addition, P_n, C_i (intracellular CO₂), g_s (stomatal conductance) and E (transpiration rate) in acclimatized plantlets (6% sucrose; −1.355 MPa osmotic potential) of ‘PB009’ were stabilized as physiological adapted strategies, regulating the shoot and root growth and fresh and dry weights of mini-rhizome. Interestingly, the accumulation of total curcuminoids in mini-rhizome derived from 6% sucrose acclimatized plantlets of ‘ST018’ was greater than in ‘PB009’ by 3.76-fold. The study concludes that in vitro acclimation of turmeric ‘PB009’ and ‘ST018’ using 6% sucrose and 4% glucose, respectively, promoted percent survival, physiological adaptations, and overall growth performances under greenhouse conditions.     

New biological activity against phospholipase A2 by Turmerin, a protein from Curcuma longa L

Turmerin is a protein from Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) with a relative molecular mass of 14 kDa. The protein inhibits the enzymatic activity and neutralizes the pharmacological properties, such as cytotoxicity, oedema and myotoxicity of multitoxic phospholipase A2 (NV-PLA2) of cobra (Naja naja) venom at a 1:2.5 molar ratio of NV-PLA2:Turmerin. A Lineweaver-Burk plot indicates that Turmerin follows a linear mixed type of inhibition.     

In vitro propagation and rhizome formation in Curcuma longa Linn

Turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.) which is cultivated by underground rhizomes is a slow propagating species. Multiplication and callus induction starting from the rhizome buds and shoot tips of C. longa in MS medium was carried out. A combination of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA; 1.0 mg/l) with kinetin (Kn; 1.0 mg/l) or NAA (1.0 mg/l) with 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP; 2.0 mg/l) was optimum for rapid clonal propagation of turmeric. A concentration of 2.5-3.0 mg/l of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy-acetic acid (2,4-D) was found to be optimum for callus induction. Regeneration of plantlets from a callus was successfully conducted in MS medium supplemented with standard growth hormones for multiplication at 25 +/- 2 degrees C under a 16 h photoperiod. These plantlets were successfully transferred to the field. Plantlets (4-month-old) were incubated in a medium containing different concentrations of sucrose supplemented with NAA (0.1 mg/l) and Kn (1.0 mg/l) at 27 +/- 2 degrees C under an 8 h photoperiod for induction of rhizomes. In vitro rhizome formation was observed in media containing 6 and 8% sucrose.     

Curcuma longa L. as a Therapeutic Agent in Intestinal Motility Disorders. 2: Safety Profile in Mouse

Background

Curcuma extract exerts a myorelaxant effect on the mouse intestine. In view of a possible use of curcuma extract in motor functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, a safety profile study has been carried out in the mouse.

Methods

Thirty mice were used to study the in vitro effect of curcuma on gallbladder, bladder, aorta and trachea smooth muscular layers and hearth inotropic and chronotropic activity. The myorelaxant effect on the intestine was also thoroughly investigated. Moreover, curcuma extract (200 mg/Kg/day) was orally administered to twenty mice over 28 days and serum liver and lipids parameters were evaluated. Serum, bile and liver bile acids qualitative and quantitative composition was were also studied.

Results

In the intestine, curcuma extract appeared as a not competitive inhibitor through cholinergic, histaminergic and serotoninergic receptors and showed spasmolytic effect on K⁺ induced contraction at the level of L type calcium channels. No side effect was observed on bladder, aorta, trachea and heart when we used a dose that is effective on the intestine. An increase in gallbladder tone and contraction was observed. Serum liver and lipids parameters were normal, while a slight increase in serum and liver bile acids concentration and a decrease in bile were observed.

Conclusions

Although these data are consistent with the safety of curcuma extract as far as its effect on the smooth muscular layers of different organs and on the heart, the mild cholestatic effect observed in absence of alteration of liver function tests must be further evaluated and the effective dose with minimal side effects considered.     

Alterations in sucrose metabolizing enzyme activities and total phenol content of Curcuma longa L. as affected by different triazole compounds

Changes in the sucrose metabolism of Curcuma longa L. plants were studied under treatment with different triazole compounds viz., triadimefon (TDM) and propiconazole (PCZ). Plants were treated with TDM at 15 mg/L and PCZ at 10 mg/L separately by soil drenching on 80, 110, and 140 days after planting (DAP). The plants were harvested randomly on 90, 120, and 150 DAP to determine the effect of both the triazoles on sucrose metabolizing enzymes and phenol content. The sucrose metabolism was studied by analyzing sucrose metabolizing enzymes like sucrose synthase and sucrose phosphate synthase. All the analyses were assayed in leaves and tubers of both control and treated plants. It was found that both of the triazole compounds had profound effects on these parameters.     

Classification and comparative analysis of Curcuma longa L. expressed sequences tags (ESTs) encoding glycine-rich proteins (GRPs)

Glycine-rich proteins (GRPs) are a group of proteins characterized by their high content of glycine residues often occurring in repetitive blocs. The diverse expression pattern and sub cellular localization of various GRPs suggest their implication in different physiological processes. Several GRPs has been isolated and characterized from different monocots and dicots. However, little or no information is available about the structure and function of GRPs in asexually reproducing plants. In this study, in-silico analysis of expressed sequence tag database resulted in the isolation of fifty-one GRPs from Curcuma longa L., an asexually reproducible plant of great medicinal and economic significance. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the GRPs into four distinct classes based on conserved motifs and nature of glycine-rich repeats. Majority of the isolated GRPs exhibited high homology with known GRPs from other plants that are expressed in response to various stresses. The presence of high structural diversity and signal peptide in some GRPs suggest their diverse physiological role and tissue specific localization. The isolated sequences can be used as a framework for cloning, characterization and expressional analysis of GRPs in response to various biotic and abiotic stresses in Curcuma longa as well as other asexually reproducing plants.     

Use of Commercial Sugar, Isabgol and Ordinary Water in Culture Medium for Conservation of Curcuma longa L

Commercial sugar (market sugar or cube sugar) as carbon source, psyllium seed hask commonly known as isabgol (Plantago ovata) as gelling agent, and medium prepared in ordinary water [OW; pH: 7.48; electrical conductivity (EC): 299 μS cm^?1] instead of deionized distilled water (DW; pH: 5.67; EC: 5 μS cm^?1), did not show any significant effect on micropropagation and in vitro conservation of Curcuma longa cv Prathibha as compared to the control medium (CM) that was prepared with sucrose, gelled with agar in DW. The isabgol-gelled media not only supported better survival of cultures than those on agargelled media, but was also very cost-effective. After 12 months of conservation, significantly higher survival of 33–44% cultures was recorded in isabgol-gelled media, whereas only 16% of cultures survived on CM. By substituting inexpensive sources of three major components of the medium — market sugar, isabgol and OW, up to 84% decrease in cost of medium for plant regeneration and in vitro conservation could be achieved.