Abstract
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is extensively used as a spice and a coloring agent in Southeast Asia. Turmeric is used as a traditional remedy for cough, diabetic wounds, hepatic disorders, and rheumatism due to its antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Since the last few decades, extensive work has been done on turmeric and its constituents to explore its pharmacological actions. Curcumin is the main constituent of turmeric and is well demonstrated for its anti-inflammatory, hypoglycaemic, antioxidant, wound-healing, and antimicrobial activities. The functional neurons of the brain and synapses are lost in neurodegenerative disorders for which there is no permanent cure. Oxidative damage and inflammation play a role in age-related neurological disorders. The antioxidants have the ability to prevent different neurological disorders. Recent studies have shown that both turmeric and curcumin possess neuroprotective and cognitiveenhancing properties that help to prevent neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson’s disease. Different experimental studies have indicated the antioxidant and anti-ageing properties of turmeric and curcumin. Various studies have shown that curcumin acts as a strong barrier against neurological disorders and, hence, it may be a potential drug candidate for the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this review was to present the current pieces of evidence in the literature regarding the neuroprotective effects of turmeric and curcumin.
Highlights
Turmeric is a herbaceous rhizome perennial plant that belongs to the ginger family, Zingiberaceae
Curcumin that is the main constituent of turmeric is a pleiotropic molecule having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
Turmeric and curcumin are reported as neuroprotective agents in the neurodegenerative disease especially Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD)
Summary
Turmeric is a herbaceous rhizome perennial plant that belongs to the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. Turmeric is used in food as an active ingredient of curries and mustard (Kim et al, 2014; Yuliani et al, 2019). It is used as a colouring agent, flavour enhancer and food preservative. The plant of turmeric is funnel-shaped which is covered with green and white coloured bracts. Its medicinal uses encompass the treatment of different diseases like ulcers, skin diseases, parasitic infections, and to improve the immune system It is used for the treatment of cold and flu (Siviero et al, 2015). Curcumin was shown to possess the neuroprotective function as an anti-coagulating agent for protein besides having antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties (Maiti and Dunbar, 2018). This review attempts to present the neuroprotective role of turmeric in neurodegenerative diseases with a special focus on its therapeutic potential in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases
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