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Curcumin—From Molecule to Biological Function
Author(s) -
Esatbeyoglu Tuba,
Huebbe Patricia,
Ernst Insa M. A.,
Chin Dawn,
Wagner Anika E.,
Rimbach Gerald
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201107724
Subject(s) - curcumin , antioxidant , ingredient , food science , functional food , polyphenol , food additive , chemistry , curry , biological activity , biology , biochemistry , traditional medicine , pharmacology , medicine , in vitro
Turmeric is traditionally used as a spice and coloring in foods. It is an important ingredient in curry and gives curry powder its characteristic yellow color. As a consequence of its intense yellow color, turmeric, or curcumin (food additive E100), is used as a food coloring (e.g. mustard). Turmeric contains the curcuminoids curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin. Recently, the health properties (neuroprotection, chemo‐, and cancer prevention) of curcuminoids have gained increasing attention. Curcuminoids induce endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms in the organism and have anti‐inflammatory activity. Curcuminoids influence gene expression as well as epigenetic mechanisms. Synthetic curcumin analogues also exhibit biological activity. This Review describes the development of curcumin from a “traditional” spice and food coloring to a “modern” biological regulator.