Introduction

Human being used plants parts as a phytomedicine since ancient times. Plants are important for bioactive constituents as primary and secondary compounds. It has been found that secondary metabolites both chemically and taxonomically are exceptionally different compound. This metabolites used in many areas like human therapy, agriculture, scientific research, veterinary and many other areas. They are largely used in the human therapy, agriculture, scientific research, veterinary and many other areas. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 80% of individuals from developed countries use the traditional medicine as a source of potential and powerful drugs that are derived from medicinal plants [1]. Curcuma longa is a perennial herb erect, leafy, belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, that measures up to 1 m high with a short stem, having oblong, pointed leaves and funnel-shaped yellow flowers. It is spread throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world that are generally cultivated in Asiatic countries, mainly in India and China. ‘Haldi’ traditionally known in India whose rhizomes are oblong, ovate, pyriform and often short branched [2, 3, 4]. Current research shows that curcumin has a new magnitude about its potentiality and have anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities [5]. The yellow powder known as curcumin extracted from rhizome is used medicinally. Dried Curcuma longa which is the source of the spice turmeric gives curry powder whose colour is yellow. Turmeric used in traditional Indian medicine as well as Hindu religious ceremonies and also used widely in foods for its flavour and colour. The old Hindu texts have described that turmeric is as aromatic stimulant and carminative [3, 4]. Recently powder of turmeric used as traditional medicine against gastrointestinal diseases, especially for biliary and hepatic disorder, diabetic wounds, rheumatism, inflammation, sinusitis, anorexia, coryza and cough. Turmeric which act as anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-fertility, anti-venom, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, anticoagulant and possess anti HIV activity to combat AIDS [4, 6, 7].

Taxonomical Classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
Superdivision: Spermatophyta
Division: Magnoliophyta
Subclass: Zingiberidae
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Zingiberaceae
Genus: Curcuma
Species: longa
Scientific name: Curcuma longa

Description

Stemless herb with root stock. Leaves broadly lanceolate or oblong, with a deep ferruginous purple. Petiole and sheath as long as the blade. Spike appearing rather before the leaves. Flowering bract green with ferruginous tinge, flower pale yellow, reddish at outer boarder.

Medicinal Uses

Rhizome: Purifies blood, used as tonic to brain and heart, used to treat leucoderma, piles, bronchitis, asthma, tumours, tuberculous glands on the neck, enlargement of spleen, to check leucorrhal and gonorrhoeal discharge.

Phytoconstituents

(a) 1,8-cineole, 2-bornanol, 2-hydroxymethyl-anthraquinone, 4-hydroxybisabola-2.
(b) 10-diene-9-one; 4-methoxy-5hydroxybiosabola; 4-hydroxy-cinnamoyl(Feruloyl)-methane, Alpha-atlantone, Alphapinene, Alphaterpineol, Ar-turmerone, Arabinose.
(c) Ascorbic-acid, Ash, Azulene, Betacarotene, Beta-pinene, Betasesquiphellandrene, Bis-(Para-hydroxycinnamoyl)-methane.
(d) Bis-desmethoxycurcumin, Bisabolene, Bixin, Borneol, Boron, Caffeic-acid, Calcium, Caprylic-acid, Caryophyllene, Chromium, Cineole, Cinnamic-acid, Cuminyl-alcohol, Curcumene, Curcumenol, Curcumin, Curdione, Cobalt, Copper.
(e) Eugenol, Epiprocurcumenol; Eucalyptol; Eugenol; Feruloyl-p-coumaroyl-methane, Gamma-atlantone, Germacrone, Germacrone13-al;Guaiacol, Isoborneol, L-alphacurcumene.
(f) L-beta-curcumene, Limonene, Manganese, Monodesmethoxycurcumin, Niacin, Nickel, norbixin; O-coumaric-acid, P-coumaric-acid, P-methoxycinnamic-acid, Pcymene, Ptolymethylcarbinol, Phosphorus, Protocatechuic-acid, Procurcumadiol.
(g) Acidic polysaccharides: utonan A, B, C, D. (h) Volatile Oil(4.2%),its main content is turmerone, arturmerone, curcumene, germacrone, ar-curcumene, (i) The herbal classics CHMM (Chinese Herbal Materia Medica).
(j) Other chemicals: Turmeric contains protein (6.3%), fat (5.1%), minerals (3.5%), carbohydrates (69.4%) and moisture (13.1%). Phenolic diketone, curcumin
(diferuloylmethane) (3-4%) is responsible for the yellow colour, and comprises curcumin I (94%), curcumin II (6%) and curcumin III (0.3%).
(k) Other chemicals compound are copper/zinc, campesterol, stigmasterol, betasitosterol, cholesterol, fatty acids and metallic elements potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, manganese, iron.