title: Antioxidant availability of turmeric in relation to its medicinal and culinary uses.
abstract: Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been used in Indian cooking, and in herbal remedies. Its possible mechanism of action was examined in terms of antioxidant availability during actual cooking conditions and in therapeutic applications using standardized extracts. The assays involve different levels of antioxidant action such as oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), radical scavenging abilities using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azobis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and protection of membranes examined by inhibition of lipid peroxidation besides the content of phenols and total flavonoids. The aqueous and ethanol extracts of two major preparations of turmeric, corresponding to its use in cooking and medicine, showed significant antioxidant abilities. In conclusion, the studies reveal that the ability of turmeric to scavenge radicals, reduce iron complex and inhibit peroxidation may explain the possible mechanisms by which turmeric exhibits its beneficial effects in relation to its use in cooking and medicine.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India.
authors.forename: Jai C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Tilak
authors.forename: Meenal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Banerjee
authors.forename: Hari
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mohan
authors.forename: T P A
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Devasagayam
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D003296:Cooking; D030024:Curcuma; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010851:Picrates / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000737:chemistry; D013451:Sulfonic Acids / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010851:Picrates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013451:Sulfonic Acids; C002502:2,2'-azino-di-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid; C024823:ferric sulfate; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl