Abstract The increase of certain neurological, metabolical and multigenetical diseases such as those found in arthritis, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, cancers as well as the high cost in providing medical healthcare has made scientists to look into phytomedicine as an alternative way for providing modalities in treatment. A natural root herb of high interest in phytomedicine used for alleviating the aforementioned diseases is the rhizome of turmeric plant (Curcuma longa Linn.). The phytochemicals of the turmeric rhizomes include curcuminoids, alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins. Curcuminoids have been found to be in high abundance with its three forms commercially available as Curcumin. These three forms are diferulorylmethane, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. Curcumin is the active agent of Curcuma longa Linn. Curcumin functions in modulating signaling pathways in targeted cells which helps it to act as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, wound healing agent.
Keyword: Turmeric, curcumin, Curcuma longa, curcuminoid.