Abstract

This study focused on investigating the phytochemical composition and evaluating the antioxidant capability of an extract obtained from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa (turmeric). Preliminary screening tests revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds like alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic substances, saponins, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, and fixed oils/fatty acids in the methanolic rhizome extract. The antioxidant potential of the extract was assessed using the widely employed 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. The findings indicated a concentration-dependent enhancement in radical scavenging activity, reaching a maximum of around 81% at the highest concentration evaluated (3 mL). The remarkable antioxidant capacity can be attributed to the unique structural features of curcumin, the principal bioactive compound present, which contains methoxy, phenoxy, and carbon-carbon double bonds that enable efficient neutralization of free radicals and reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, curcumin has been reported to modulate the activity of transcription factors like Nrf2, thereby upregulating the expression of antioxidant enzymes and bolstering the body’s defense against oxidative stress. These findings offer empirical support for the historical use of C. longa and underscore the diverse potential uses of curcumin as a natural antioxidant across different sectors, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics

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