A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON CURCUMA LONGA LINN.: PHYTOCHEMICAL, PHARMACOLOGICAL, AND MOLECULAR STUDY

Curcuma longa Linn. (turmeric) is an important medicinal and culinary plant whose rhizome is rich in essential oils and curcuminoids (notably curcumin). This review compiles and synthesizes published data on the botany, phytochemistry, traditional uses, pharmacological activities, molecular mechanisms, and safety profile of C. longa. Phytochemical investigations have identified numerous constituents (curcuminoids, volatile terpenes, phenolic compounds) that underlie a wide spectrum of bioactivities reported in vitro and in vivo — including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anticancer, and cardioprotective effects. At the molecular level, curcuminoids modulate signaling pathways (for example NF-κB, MAPKs, and Nrf2) and key enzymes (COX-2, iNOS), which helps explain many of the observed pharmacological effects. The review also assesses safety/toxicity data and highlights formulation strategies (e.g., nanocarriers) to overcome curcumin’s low bioavailability. Finally, the authors identify gaps in current knowledge and recommend further well-designed preclinical and clinical studies to validate therapeutic applications and optimize delivery systems.