Search Results (207)

Background/Objectives: Solvent-intensive methods are traditionally required to extract curcumin, a potent bioactive compound from Curcuma longa, raising environmental and safety concerns. Methods: This study introduces an efficient and scalable extraction approach using microwave–ultrasound-assisted extraction (MUAE) combined with a natural deep eutectic solvent (NADES) composed of choline chloride and lactic acid. Process parameters, including solvent water content (20–30% v/v) and solid loading (4–8% w/v), were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) to enhance curcumin yield. Results: Under optimal conditions (20% water content and 8% solid loading), the MUAE method achieved a curcumin content of 40.72 ± 1.21 mg/g, representing a 14.36% improvement over conventional ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), while reducing solvent usage by 50%. The quadratic model demonstrated excellent predictive capability, with an R² value of 0.98. In addition, anti-solvent precipitation using water increased curcuminoid purity from 0.31% to 20.54%, with a recovery rate of 21.49%. Conclusions: Mechanistic analysis revealed that microwave-induced cell disruption, ultrasound cavitation, and the modulation of NADES viscosity contributed synergistically to the enhanced extraction performance. This study is the first to combine MUAE with NADES for optimized curcumin extraction, delivering both high yield and reduced solvent consumption. The proposed method offers a sustainable and industrially relevant alternative for curcumin recovery in the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical sectors. Full article

Gastrointestinal symptoms, including reflux, bloating, dyspepsia, stomach pain, and altered bowel patterns, are commonly reported in individuals with severe obesity and may significantly impact quality of life. Background/Objectives: Curcumin, a bioactive compound found in turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and has been investigated for its potential role in gastrointestinal health. However, its effects in individuals with severe obesity remain unclear. Methods: This double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effect of curcumin supplementation on gastrointestinal symptoms in women with severe obesity. Thirty-one women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m² undergoing bariatric surgery were randomized to receive either 1500 mg of curcumin (98.75%) or a placebo (1500 mg corn starch) daily for 13 weeks. Gastrointestinal symptoms were assessed using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), and stool consistency was assessed using the Bristol Stool Scale. Anthropometric measurements were also collected. Results: Participants had an average age of 33.1 ± 8 years and a BMI of 45.6 ± 3.31 kg/m². No differences were observed between groups at baseline. At the end of the study, the curcumin group showed a significant reduction in the GSRS’s total score compared to the placebo group (p = 0.002), with improvements in eructation (p = 0.011) and constipation (p = 0.007). Additionally, the curcumin group showed reduced BMI (p = 0.019) and neck circumference (p = 0.042). Conclusions: These findings suggest that curcumin supplementation may alleviate some gastrointestinal symptoms and improve anthropometric measures in women with severe obesity, providing a potential dietary strategy. Full article

Biobased packaging solutions with active functions for different food categories are a very attractive topic nowadays. This packaging provides suitable preservation of the food quality and extends the shelf life of packed items. In addition, this is a promising pathway to overcome global pollution, to protect human health, as well as to provide a better planetary wellbeing. In this work, a packaging composition based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) with the addition of Curcuma longa L. (C) extract prepared by the solution casting method is promoted as a potential packaging option for the active food packaging of cheese. The dopant levels of the extract were performed at 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 5%, and 10%, while the neat PLA film was used as a control. The obtained results are promising. By a thermal analysis, it is shown that C-extract has a plasticizing and nucleating effect on PLA molecules, as well as improving the barrier and other film properties. Moreover, this packaging was proven as a potential antimicrobial packaging for white cheese—it enables extending the shelf life by direct contact. This is a simple way of manufacturing biobased packaging doped with natural antimicrobials that could be used for other food categories that are prone to microbiological attack. Full article

This study links the traditional use of celery (Apium graveolens L.) and parsley (Petroselinum crispum L.) roots in Balkan cuisine and herbal medicine, along with the longstanding role of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) rhizome in Ayurvedic and Asian medicinal practices, with modern technological approaches to develop a functional food formulation. A series of blend variations were evaluated for total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, and sensory quality. The incorporation of turmeric significantly enhanced the antioxidant potential of celery–parsley mixtures. Celery–parsley–turmeric root blend (CPT6), comprising equal parts, was identified as optimal, exhibiting high total phenolic content (9.56 mg gallic acid equivalent/g), strong antioxidant activities, and a favourable sensory profile rated as “very good” (3.58 average score). CPT6 further demonstrated promising biofunctional properties, including potent α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition activities (72% and 80%, respectively), alongside moderate antihypertension activity (ACE) (62%) and hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibition (55%). Chemometric analyses (PCA) and machine learning modelling (ANN) confirmed the significant role of turmeric proportion in enhancing both bioactivity and consumer acceptability. This research highlights the synergy between tradition and technology in creating novel, multifunctional food ingredients suited for functional food and nutraceutical applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: The anti-Leishmania potential of Curcuma longa and its derivatives, such as curcuminoids, is well-established, yet their mechanisms of action remain underexplored. This study investigates the inhibitory effects of C. longa extracts and curcumin on Leishmania infantum arginase, a key enzyme in polyamine and trypanothione biosynthesis, and evaluates their antiparasitic activity. Methods: Extracts were prepared via rhizome successive maceration with hexane (HEXCURC), dichloromethane (DCCURC), and ethanol (ETOHCURC) and chemically characterized by a combination of chromatographic and spectrometric methods. The inhibition of recombinant L. infantum arginase (LiARG) was assessed by urea quantification, while molecular docking explored interactions between the main compounds annotated in the extracts and the enzyme’s active site. Biological activity was tested against L. infantum promastigotes, intracellular amastigotes, and mammalian cells. Results: LC-MS and GC-MS revealed curcuminoids and turmerones as main compounds annotated in the extracts. DCCURC, HEXCURC, and curcumin showed the strongest LiARG inhibition (IC₅₀ = 10.04, 14.4, and 17.55 μg/mL, respectively). Docking analysis revealed that curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin bind near the active site, with binding energies of –3.43, –4.14, and –3.99 kcal/mol, respectively. Curcumin demonstrated superior anti-promastigote activity (IC₅₀ = 15.01 μg/mL) and selectivity (SI = 12.7) compared to the extracts. It also significantly reduced amastigote burden in infected macrophages (IC₅₀ = 13.6 μg/mL). Conclusions: This is the first report demonstrating that C. longa extracts and curcumin inhibit LiARG. These findings support curcumin’s potential as a lead compound for developing multi-target therapies against leishmaniasis, combining enzyme inhibition with direct antiparasitic effects. Full article

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L. cv. Trang 1), a high-value cultivar known for its elevated curcuminoid and volatile oil content, holds significant potential in pharmaceutical and food applications. However, its commercial propagation is constrained by low rhizome productivity and the limitations of conventional vegetative propagation. This study aimed to improve the propagation efficiency of turmeric cv. Trang 1 by developing optimized protocols for explant sterilization, shoot proliferation, root induction, and acclimatization. Sprouted rhizome buds were sterilized and cultured on a Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various plant growth regulators, including cytokinins (benzyladenine [BA], thidiazuron [TDZ], and meta-topolin [mT]) and auxins (indole-3-butyric acid [IBA] and 1-naphthaleneacetic acid [NAA]). The shoot induction (4.60 ± 1.47 shoots per explant) and shoot height (2.34 ± 0.61 cm) were observed on the MS medium with 3.0 mg/L BA, while the TDZ, at 0.5 mg/L, also induced a high number of shoots (5.22 ± 0.64). When using single shoots derived from bud explants, mT at 1.5 mg/L significantly enhanced the shoot formation. For the root induction, 2.0 mg/L IBA yielded the highest number of roots (7.33 ± 1.49), while NAA was less effective. The plantlets acclimatized in a 1:1 soil and peat moss mixture showed the highest survival rate (86.67%). This improved protocol enables the efficient production of turmeric plantlets, supporting commercial deployment. Full article

Background/Objectives: Rhodesain is a cysteine protease crucial for the life cycle of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, a parasite that causes the lethal form of human African trypanosomiasis. For these reasons, rhodesain is considered an important target for the drug discovery process of novel antitrypanosomal agents. Methods: In the present work, we carried out a combination study of two novel synthetic nitriles, Nitrile 1 and Nitrile 2, with curcumin, the golden multitarget nutraceutical obtained from Curcuma longa L., which we demonstrated to inhibit rhodesain in a non-competitive manner. We calculated the combination index (CI) in both the combination studies by using the Chou and Talalay method. Results: Comparing the CI values of the combinations Nitrile 1 + curcumin and Nitrile 2 + curcumin, we assessed that the inhibitory effect of the combination Nitrile 2 + curcumin against rhodesain was much more potent than that of the other combination. At the IC₅₀ value, in the case of the combination Nitrile 1 + curcumin an additive effect occurred, while in the case of Nitrile 2 + curcumin, we observed a moderate synergism: at 99% of the effect, the synergism induced by the combination Nitrile 2 + curcumin was much stronger than the synergism promoted by the combination Nitrile 1 + curcumin (CI = 0.3843 vs 0.6622, respectively). Conclusions: The co-administration of dipeptide nitriles with curcumin enhances rhodesain inhibition through synergistic effects. Notably, Nitrile 2 + curcumin exhibits a stronger synergy at higher inhibition levels, indicating a greater therapeutic potential. Full article

Foods such as Curcuma longa L. and propolis can attenuate inflammation in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing hemodialysis (HD). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of microcapsules loaded with Curcuma longa L. and propolis on inflammatory markers and uremic toxins in patients undergoing HD. In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 40 patients were divided into two groups: an intervention group (137 mg/day of Curcuma and 500 mg/day of green propolis) in the form of microcapsules, and a placebo group, both administered for 8 weeks. Cytokines were analyzed using a multiplex assay (Bio-Plex Magpix^®). Malondialdehyde was evaluated as a marker of lipid peroxidation. Uremic toxins were analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from medical records. A total of 38 patients completed the study: 18 were in the intervention group (49 ± 16.2 years; 8 men) and 20 were in the control group (49 ± 18.7 years; 10 men). There was a reduction in levels of C-reactive protein (p = 0.026) and MIP-1 (p = 0.019) in the intervention group. No change in uremic toxins was observed. In conclusion, the intervention with microcapsules containing Curcuma longa L. and green propolis showed potential anti-inflammatory effects in patients with CKD undergoing HD. These findings warrant investigation in larger, long-term trials. Full article

Turmeric (Curcuma spp.) is widely cultivated in tropical regions for its use in traditional medicine and culinary purposes. This study investigated the bacterial populations in the rhizosphere, stems, and leaves of the Curcuma species and strains at different growth stages. Bacterial population cultivated in the field and plastic house showed variations across growth stages. The rhizosphere possessed the highest bacterial populations in both experiments (1.8 to 11.9 × 10⁶ CFU/g and 1.7 to 24.3 × 10⁶ CFU/g, respectively), with C. amada and Ryudai gold as the highest. Endophytic bacteria in stems and leaves also peaked at the middle growth stage. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed distinct separations among Curcuma species planted in the field and plastic house at different growth stages. C. aromatica and C. longa strain L2 clustered differently under field conditions, while C. zedoaria and C. xanthorrhiza were distinct under plastic house conditions. Combined PCA revealed a clear separation between the field and plastic house, with tighter clustering observed in the plastic house. Leaf-associated bacterial populations were compositionally distinct from those in the rhizosphere and stems. These findings suggest that the Curcuma growth stage and species significantly affect bacterial community structure, supporting the development of targeted cultivation strategies and microbial applications to enhance productivity and sustainability in turmeric farming. Full article

The present work aimed to obtain and characterize sunflower seed oil (SO) enriched with compounds from turmeric rhizome (TR). For this purpose, the enriched oil was obtained from two strategies: extraction of the compounds from TR using SO as solvent (ESO) and simultaneous extraction of SO and TR compounds using ethyl acetate as solvent (ESOS). In these strategies, the effect of time (15 and 30 min) and temperature (60 and 70 °C) on the enrichment in relation to the curcuminoids content was determined. Evaluation of phytochemicals such as total phenolic compounds (TPCs), phenolic compound profile and fatty-acid profile and bioactivity by antioxidant potential (AP) was carriedoutin the enriched oils and in the SO;mean while, oxidative stability and cytotoxicity were evaluated using HaCaT (human immortalized keratinocyte) cells. From the results obtained, higher contents of curcuminoids (510 mg/100 g oil) were observed in the oil obtained from simultaneous extraction (ESOS) in a shorter time and lower temperature (15 min and 60 °C), and similar behavior was found for the content of phenolic compounds and antioxidant potential. The profile of phenolic compounds revealed the presence of phenolic acids, curcuminoids and terpenes in the composition of the enriched oils, which increased oxidative stability. The oils obtained did not show any cytotoxic effect against the cells tested, confirmed by the high survival rate (>88%) after 48 h of exposure. Full article

Curcumin, a major phytochemical derived from Curcuma longa, has been shown to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents such as doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, and cisplatin by overcoming drug resistance, making it a promising adjunct in the treatment of glioblastoma. However, the global gene-expression changes triggered by curcumin in glioblastoma remain underexplored. In this study, we investigated the effects of curcumin on human glioblastoma (U87 MG) cells, where it significantly reduced cell viability and proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner and induced apoptosis without affecting senescence. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 5036 differentially expressed genes, with pathway enrichment identifying 13 dysregulated cancer-associated pathways. Notably, curcumin modulated several key regulators involved in MAPK, Ras, TGF-β, Wnt, Cytokine, and TNF signaling pathways. Several apoptosis and cell cycle-associated genes, including PRKCG, GDF7, GDF9, GDF15, GDF5, FZD1, FZD2, FZD8, AIFM3, TP53AIP1, CRD14, NIBAN3, BOK, BCL2L10, BCL2L14, BNIPL, FASLG, GZMM, TNFSF10, TNFSF11, and TNFSF4, were significantly altered. Several pro-apoptotic and anti-BCL, cell-cycle-regulated genes were modulated following curcumin treatment, emphasizing its potential role in curcumin-mediated anti-tumor effects. This study provides insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying curcumin’s action against glioblastoma. Full article

Background: Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) rhizomes, whose secondary metabolites include polyphenols and terpenoids, have been used medicinally for millennia. However, modern scientific inquiry has primarily focused on medicinal effects of turmeric’s polyphenolic curcuminoids, including when evaluating turmeric use to maintain bone health. Methods: Disease-specific biological effects of turmeric’s major secondary metabolites (polyphenols and/or terpenoids), with or without associated turmeric rhizome-derived polysaccharides, were determined in vivo using pre-clinical models of clinically relevant resorptive bone diseases induced by different mechanisms. These included inflammatory arthritis, cancer-driven osteolytic bone metastases, and hormone deficiency-driven post-menopausal osteoporosis. Results: In the arthritis model, the safety profile of curcuminoids alone was superior. However, curcuminoids and terpenoids each had anti-inflammatory effects and prevented bone resorption, with polysaccharide-containing curcuminoid extracts having greater effect than curcuminoids alone. In the human osteolytic breast cancer bone metastases model, curcuminoid extracts containing polysaccharides tended to yield greater effects in reducing bone osteolysis and tumor progression than curcuminoids alone or more complex extracts. In contrast, only purified curcuminoids prevented bone loss in a post-menopausal osteoporosis model, while polysaccharide-containing curcuminoid extracts were without effect. In vitro metabolite effects on disease-specific mechanistic pathways in synoviocytes, osteoclasts, or breast cancer cells were consistent with documented in vivo outcomes and included differential metabolite-specific effects. Conclusions: In summary, these findings suggest that turmeric’s potential medicinal musculoskeletal effects are complex, pathway- and target-specific, and not limited to curcuminoids, with safety concerns potentially limiting certain uses. Full article

Background/Objectives: 5-(3′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)-γ-valerolactone (γ-VL), recently identified as a predominant microbial metabolite derived from proanthocyanidins, offers benefits such as reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and supporting brain health. Its effects on neuroinflammation and microglial activation remain largely unexplored. Curcumin, a bioactive component isolated from Curcuma longa L., is well known for its ability to reduce microglial activation and pro-inflammatory mediator production and release. While the individual effects of γ-VL and curcumin are well documented, their potential combined effects remain unexplored. This research sought to investigate the possible synergistic effects of γ-VL and curcumin in reducing microglial activation. Methods: Primary rat cortical microglia were pre-treated with γ-VL and curcumin, alone or in combination, before stimulation with LPS. An MTT assay was used to evaluate cell viability, while pro-inflammatory mediators were assessed by real-time PCR and ELISA. Nitric oxide production was evaluated with the Griess assay. SynergyFinder Plus software analyzed potential synergistic effects. Results: The combination of low micromolar concentrations of γ-VL and curcumin synergistically reduced LPS-induced microglial activation. Specifically, the combination exhibited a significantly greater ability to inhibit the production and release of pro-inflammatory factors (such as IL-1β, TNF-α, and NO) compared to each compound individually. Mechanistically, the anti-inflammatory activity was attributed to the downregulation of NLRP3 expression, and the reduction in microglial activation was linked to the modulation of the NOX2/Nrf2 signaling pathway. Conclusions: The combination of low micromolar concentrations of γ-VL and curcumin produces synergistic anti-inflammatory effects in microglia by targeting key inflammatory pathways, indicating its potential utility as a treatment strategy for neurodegenerative diseases involving microglial activation. Full article

Nano-emulsions of essential oils (EO) and their chemical constituents are promising raw materials for the ecological control of Tribolium castaneum. Curcuma longa L. is a plant known for the properties of its rhizome, which is used in food, health, and hygiene products. Although its leaves are considered by-products with no commercial value, they produce an essential oil rich in bioactive monoterpenoids. This study aims to evaluate the repellency of nano-emulsions containing the EO from leaves of C. longa or its three main chemical constituents against T. castaneum. The representative mixture of EO extracted in four different months showed p-cymene (26.0%), 1,8-cineole (15.1%), and terpinolene (15.5%) as major compounds. Nano-emulsions of EO (HLB 16.7), terpinolene (HLB 15.0), 1,8-cineole (HLB15.0), and p-cymene (HLB 15.0) were repellent at concentrations of 11 μg/cm² (EO, terpinolene, and p-cymene) and 1.1 μg/cm² (1,8-cineole). The EO nano-emulsion droplet size increased linearly over time, remaining below 300 nm for 35 days. The EO nano-emulsion proved to be a green alternative to synthetic pesticides, as it was safe against the bioindicator Chlorella vulgaris. Furthermore, its main constituents were able to inhibit in silico the enzyme telomerase of T. castaneum, which is an enzyme essential for life. This study provides ideas for the utilization of EO from leaves of C. longa as raw material for new environmentally friendly plant-derived nanobiopesticides. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of potential biocontrol agents for use against phytopathogens of potato seed (Solanum tuberosum L.). Plant extracts from Allium sativum L., Syzygium aromaticum L. Merr. & Perry, Salvia officinalis L., and Curcuma longa L., as well as metabolites of bacteria Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KB2 LAB 03 and yeast Metschnikowia pulcherrima TK1, were investigated. The chemical characteristics of the plant extracts and the metabolic profiles of the tested microorganisms were evaluated by GC-MS. An insect cell line from Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf-9) and human cervix adenocarcinoma cells (HeLa) were used to evaluate cytotoxicity in the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The single-cell electrophoresis assay was used to estimate DNA damage. The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of the microbial metabolites depended on their chemical profiles and pH. The plant extracts induced stronger DNA damage in the Sf-9 cell line than in HeLa cells. The garlic (Allium sativum L.) extract showed the highest cytotoxicity against Sf-9 insect cells (IC₅₀ 41.6 mg/mL). The sage (Salvia officinalis L.) extract showed the highest cytotoxicity against HeLa cells (IC₅₀ 49.6 mg/mL). This study is the first to investigate not only the potential of these novel biocontrol agents for plant disease control, but also their safety for humans and biodiversity within the context of sustainable agriculture. Full article