title: Curcumin--from molecule to biological function.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung Lebensmittelwissenschaft, Institut für Humanernährung und Lebensmittelkunde, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Kiel, Deutschland.
authors.forename: Tuba
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Esatbeyoglu
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Huebbe
authors.forename: Insa M A
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.forename: Dawn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Anika E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rimbach
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003474:Curcumin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D003474:Curcumin