Natural actives: a review. Part 2

Curcumin

Curcumin is extracted from the dried root of the turmeric rhizome Curcuma longa. The process of extraction requires the raw material to be ground into powder, and washed with a suitable solvent that selectively extracts colouring matter. This process after distillation of the solvent yields an oleoresin with colouring matter content in the region of 25% to 35% along with volatile oils and other resinous extractives. The oleoresin so obtained is subjected to further washes using selective solvents that can extract the curcumin pigment from the oleoresin. This process yields a powdered, purified food colour, known as curcumin powder, with over 90% colouring matter content and very little volatile oil and other dry matter of natural origin. The characteristic yellow colour of turmeric is due to the curcuminoids, first isolated by Vogel in 1842. Curcumin provides a water soluble orange-yellow colour. It is a natural extract obtained by solvent extraction from the dried rhizomes of turmeric (used in Indian cuisine as a flavouring agent). Curcumin may be used to compensate for fading of natural colouring in pre-packed foods. Recognised as an anticarcinogenic agent during laboratory tests. It is widely used in traditional Indian medicine to cure biliary disorders, anorexia, cough, diabetic wounds, hepatic disorders, rheumatism, and sinusitis. Turmeric paste in slaked lime is a popular home remedy for the treatment of inflammation and wounds. Curcumin has antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antiviral and antifungal actions. Studies have shown that curcumin is not toxic to humans. Curcumin exerts anti-inflammatory activity by inhibition of a number of different molecules that play an important role in inflammation. Turmeric is effective in reducing postsurgical inflammation. It is also useful as an anti-inflammatory agent for arthritis and other inflammatory conditions such as dysmenorrhoea, asthma, infections, eczema, psoriasis and injuries. In the case of arthritis and injuries combination with more analgesic herbs may be necessary to provide adequate symptom relief.13 INCI name: Curcumin. Supplier: Overseal Foods, Sabinsa, Unifect, Univar.

Darutoside