Pharmacology of Curcuma longa

The data reviewed indicate that extracts of Curcuma longa exhibit anti-inflammatory activity after parenteral application in standard animal models used for testing anti-inflammatory activity. It turned out that curcumin and the volatile oil are at least in part responsible for this action. It appears that when given orally, curcumin is far less active than after i.p. administration. This may be due to poor absorption, as discussed. Data on histamine-induced ulcers are controversial, and studies on the secretory activity (HCl, pepsinogen) are still lacking. In vitro, curcumin exhibited antispasmodic activity. Since there was a protective effect of extracts of Curcuma longa on the liver and a stimulation of bile secretion in animals, Curcuma longa has been advocated for use in liver disorders. Evidence for an effect on liver disease in humans is not yet available. From the facts that after oral application only traces of curcumin were found in the blood and that, on the other hand, most of the curcumin is excreted via the faeces it may be concluded that curcumin is absorbed poorly by the gastrointestinal tract and/or underlies presystemic transformation. Systemic effects therefore seem to be questionable after oral application except that they occur at very low concentrations of curcumin. This does not exclude a local action in the gastrointestinal tract.     

毛郁金化学成分的分离与鉴定

目的对毛郁金的化学成分进行研究。方法采用硅胶柱色谱、氧化铝柱色谱、ODS柱色谱和制备高效液相色谱等方法分离纯化毛郁金的化学成分,通过波谱数据分析确定化合物的结构。结果从毛郁金乙酸乙酯萃取物中分离得到10个化合物,分别鉴定为莪术二酮(curdione,1)、新莪术二酮(neocurdione,2)、吉马酮-4,5-环氧化物(germacrone-4,5-epoxide,3)、莪术二酮-1,10-环氧化物(curdione-1,10-epoxide,4)、gajutsulactone A(5)、莪术双环烯酮(curcumenone,6)、polydactin B(7)、4,5-seco-4,5-dioxo-guaia-1(10),11-diene(8)、2-endo-hydroxy-1,8-cineole(9)、邻苯二甲酸二丁酯(dibutylphthalate,10)。结论化合物3、5、7-10为首次从该植物中分离得到,其中化合物7-10为首次从姜黄属植物中分离得到。     

激光拉曼光谱快速测定中药姜黄

目的 应用激光拉曼光谱无损快速测定姜黄.方法 采集姜黄的拉曼光谱图,并结合二阶导数对其进行定性分析.结果 姜黄拉曼光谱谱中出现了1629、1596、1433、1250、1150、962、943、481 cm-1等较强的特征峰,主要归属为姜黄素类化合物和氨基酸、多糖等物质,与已知姜黄生化成分基本相符,根据谱图信息可建立姜黄的拉曼指纹图谱.应用二阶导数谱,可对结果进行进一步补充验证说明.结论 拉曼光谱技术可用于姜黄的快速测定.     

Antihepatotoxic Principles of Curcuma longa Rhizomes1.

An extract of the crude drug "ukon", the rhizomes of CURCUMA LONGA, exhibited intense preventive activity against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury IN VIVO and IN VITRO. The extract was subjected to fractionation by monitoring the activity by the IN VITRO assay methods employing carbon tetrachloride- and galactosamine-produced cytotoxicity in primary cultured rat hepatocytes. Curcuminoids were shown to possess significant antihepatotoxic action. The liver protective effects of some analogues of ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid, probable metabolites of the curcuminoids, were also evaluated.     

Toxicity studies on Alpinia galanga and Curcuma longa.

Acute (24 h) and chronic (90 days) oral toxicity studies on the ethanolic extracts of the rhizomes of Alpinia galanga and Curcuma longa were carried out in mice. Acute dosages were 0.5, 1.0, and 3 g/kg body weight while the chronic dosage was 100 mg/kg/day as the extract. All external morphological, hematological, and spermatogenic changes, in addition to body weight and vital organ weights were recorded. During this investigation no significant mortality as compared to the controls was observed. The weight gain in the A. galanga treated animals was significant as in the control group while the C. longa-treated animals gained no significant weight after chronic treatment. C. longa treatment induced significant changes in heart and lungs weights upon chronic treatment. Hematological studies revealed a significant rise in the RBC level of A. galanga-treated animals and a significant fall in the WBC and RBC levels of the C. longa-treated animals as compared to the controls. The gain in weights of sexual organs and increased sperm motility and sperm counts were observed in both groups of extract-treated male mice, however, these changes were highly significant in the A. galanga-treated group. Both extracts failed to show any spermatotoxic effects.     

Essential oil constituents from Japanese and Indian Curcuma aromatica rhizomes

The chemical compositions of the essential oils from rhizomes of Curcuma aromatica cultivated in Japan and India were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. These oils were extremely different. The major constituents in both oils from Japanese samples were curdione, germacrone, 1,8-cineole, (45,5S)-germacrone-4,5-epoxide, beta-elemene, and linalool, whereas those in the oil from Indian were beta-curcumene, ar-curcumene, xanthorrhizol, germacrone, camphor, and curzerenone.     

Compounds isolated from Curcuma aromatica Salisb. inhibit human P450 enzymes

Curcuma species (Zingiberaceae) are used as both food and medicine in Asia. Ten sesquiterpenes (1-10) and two curcuminoids (11 and 12) were isolated from the rhizomes of Curcuma aromatica Salisb. and identified. The compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit cytochrome P450 (CYP). Among them, the sesquiterpene (4S,5S)-(+)-germacrone-4,5-epoxide (7) inhibited certain subtypes of CYP more potently than or at levels comparable to the curcuminoids curcumin (11) and demethoxycurcumin (12); 7 (IC(50) = 1.0 ± 0.2 μM) > 12 (IC(50) = 7.0 ± 1.7 μM) > 11 (IC(50) = 14.9 ± 1.4 μM) for CYP3A4 inhibition; 12 (IC(50) = 1.4 ± 0.2 μM) > 11 (IC(50) = 6.0 ± 1.4 μM) > 7 (IC(50) = 7.6 ± 2.5 μM) for CYP2C9 inhibition; and 7 (IC(50) = 33.2 ± 3.6 μM) = 12 (IC(50) = 34.0 ± 14.2 μM) > 11 (IC(50) > 100 μM) for CYP1A2 inhibition. These results suggest the possibility that Curcuma aromatica Salisb. may cause food-drug interactions via cytochrome P450 inhibition by sesquiterpene 7 and curcuminoids 11 and 12.     

姜黄中姜黄素的提取及分离工艺研究

目的：研究用姜黄生产姜黄素的实用生产工艺。方法：渗漉法提取及大孔树脂分离正交试验。结果：提取姜黄素用9倍体积的70％乙醇，以3mL／min的速度渗漉为最佳提取工艺；利用D101大孔树脂纯化姜黄素工序中调节上样料液pH为7，用80％乙醇以4mL／min的速率洗脱为最佳分离工艺。结论：渗漉法提取和大孔树脂分离获得姜黄素的工艺简便、实用、经济，适用于小量生产。     

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)-induced reduction in urinary mutagens.

Rats were fed turmeric at various levels in the diet for up to 3 months and then exposed to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) or 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) by ip injection. Urinary mutagens were detected using the Salmonella typhimurium assay. Turmeric fed at 0.5% and above inhibited B[a]P- and 3-MC-mediated mutagenicity. Turmeric did not adversely affect the food intake, or weight gain of the rats and no histological changes were detected. These findings are significant in view of the widespread exposure of humans to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The study has also revealed a useful in vivo model for testing the antimutagenicity.     

姜黄中总姜黄素纯化方法的比较

目的研究总姜黄素较优的纯化方法.方法采用分光光度法,以总姜黄素的含量为指标,考察了从姜黄中提纯总姜黄素的3种不同方法.结果水杨酸钠法所得样品的含量最高为92.5%,其次为酸碱法74.0%,最低为活性炭法51.2%.结论水杨酸钠法操作简单,提取物纯度较高,为较好的纯化方法.     

姜黄的化学成分研究Ⅰ:没药烷型倍半萜

目的研究姜黄中的化学成分。方法利用正相硅胶柱色谱、反相ODS柱色谱及反相高效液相色谱等多种分离方法对姜黄的体积分数80％乙醇提取物进行分离鉴定。结果与结论分离得到6个倍半萜类化合物，通过理化性质和波谱数据鉴定它们的结构分别为：turmeronol A（1）、turmeronol B（2）、bisabolone（3）、8-hydroxyl—arturmemne（4）、bisabolone-9-one（S），（6S）-2-methyl-6-[（1R，5S）-（4-methene-5-hydroxyl-2-cyclohexen）-2-hepten-4-one]（6）。其中，化合物6为新的天然产物，化合物5为首次从该属植物中分离得到。同时，利用DEPF-135、HSQC、HMBC等核磁技术对化合物3的化学位移进行了准确归属。对文献中报道的数据归属进行了更正。     

国产姜黄药材质量的比较研究

目的综合评价国产市售姜黄药材质量。方法采用HPLC法和UV法测定17批姜黄产地或商品药材中姜黄素类化合物含量,并测定了挥发油、醇浸出物含量、灰分及酸不溶性灰分、水分等常规检验项目。结果姜黄药材中姜黄素类成分含量变化范围较大,但各单一指标成分(如:姜黄素、去甲氧基姜黄素、二去甲氧基姜黄素)含量的分布比较均匀;常规理化试验项目测定结果表明不同产地或市场商品姜黄药材的质量差异大。结论姜黄素类含量及挥发油等常规试验指标可用于姜黄药材的综合评价和化学质量标准化。     

姜黄抗癌作用及机制最新进展

介绍国外近年对姜黄抗癌作用及机制的研究,并介绍所用的分子遗传学方法。四氮唑蓝(MTT)法、3H标记的胸腺嘧啶核苷渗入法及用流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡的方法均显示,姜黄有广谱抗癌作用。用分子遗传学方法进行其机制研究,表明姜黄能下调cyclinD1的表达;抑制cyclinD1,D2D3和cyclinE的转录;抑制cyclinD依赖性蛋白激酶(CDK4);改变微丝的结构和功能,抑制癌细胞的运动和转移;上调生长阻滞与DNA损伤诱导基因GADD153的转录。     

Antibacterial Activity of Rhizome of Curcuma aromatica and Partial Purification of Active Compounds

The hexane extract of Curcuma aromatica, a plant belonging to the family Zingiberaceae was tested on 10 bacterial strains (clinical isolates and standard strains). Agar diffusion method was adopted for determining the antibacterial activity of the extract. The hexane extract was found to be active against all Gram-positive strains tested, but inactive against Gram-negative strains. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were determined and found to be 539 μg/ml. The phytochemical analysis of hexane extract by gas chromatography mass spectrometry revealed the presence of 13 compounds. The crude hexane extract was partially purified by thin layer chromatography. The zone showing good antibacterial activity was analysed further by gas chromatography mass spectrometry, UV/Vis spectrophotometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which indicated the probable presence of germacrone.     

Curcuma longa extract protects against gastric ulcers by blocking H2 histamine receptors

Curcuma longa has been commonly used as a traditional remedy for a variety of symptoms such as inflammation, gastritis and gastric ulcer. When C. longa extract was administered per os to pylori-ligated rat stomachs, it reduced gastric acid secretion and protected against the formation of gastric mucosal lesions. We therefore tested whether C. longa extract inhibits gastric ulcers by blocking the H(2) histamine receptor. Dimaprit, a H(2) histamine receptor agonist, induced intracellular cAMP production in U937 and HL-60 promyelocytes. Pretreatment with C. longa extract significantly blocked dimaprit-induced cAMP production in a concentration dependent manner, but had no effect on the elevation of cAMP levels triggered by isoproterenol-induced beta(2)-adrenoceptor activation in U937 cells. To identify the active component(s) of C. longa extract, we sequentially fractionated it by extraction with ethyl acetate, n-butanol and water. We found that the ethyl acetate extract showed the most potent H(2)R antagonistic effect against dimaprit-induced cAMP production. However, curcumin, a major component of C. longa extract, showed no H(2)R blocking effect. C. longa ethanol extract and ethylacetate extract also blocked the binding of [(3)H]-tiotidine to membrane receptors on HL-60 cells. These findings suggest that the extract from C. longa specifically inhibits gastric acid secretion by blocking H(2) histamine receptors in a competitive manner.     

Diarylheptanoids with free radical scavenging and hepatoprotective activity in vitro from Curcuma longa.

Assay-guided fractionation of the EtOAc soluble fraction of the rhizomes of Curcuma longa furnished three DPPH free radical scavenging diarylheptanoids, curcumin (1), demethoxycurcumin (2), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (3). Compounds 1-3 showed the DPPH radical scavenging effects with IC(50) values of 2.8, 39.2, 308.7 microM, respectively. L-Ascorbic acid and resveratrol as positive controls exhibited IC(50) values of 22.5 and 25.0 microM, respectively. Compounds 1-3 showed significant hepatoprotective effects on tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in human liver-derived Hep G2 cells. The EC(50) values of 1-3 are 86.9, 70.7, and 50.2 microM, respectively. Silybin (EC(50) = 69.0 microM) and silychristin (EC(50) = 82.7 microM) were used as positive controls.     

顶空固相微萃取法与水蒸气蒸馏法提取姜黄挥发性成分的比较

目的:采用顶空固相微萃取和水蒸气蒸馏法分别提取姜黄挥发性成分并进行GC-MS比较分析,并结合PCA技术对分析结果进行验证。方法:采用顶空固相微萃取法和水蒸气蒸馏法提取姜黄挥发性成分,运用GC-MS技术,结合计算机检索对其挥发性成分进行分离鉴定,并通过PCA技术对结果进行验证。结果:2种方法共鉴定出48个挥发性成分,其中顶空固相微萃取法鉴定出41种挥发性化学成分,水蒸气蒸馏法鉴定出33种挥发性化学成分,共有成分为26种。结论:2种方法鉴定出的挥发性成分及其相对含量上存在一定差异,PCA分析亦进一步验证了其异同。与水蒸气蒸馏法比较,顶空固相微萃取法所得挥发性成分数目和种类较多,顶空固相微萃取法比水蒸气蒸馏法具有明显的优越性。     

Analysis and stability of the constituents of Curcuma longa and Harpagophytum procumbens tinctures by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-ESI-MS

In the present study two methods based on liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) coupled to an electrospray ionisation (ESI-MS) interface were developed for the determination of constituents in the tinctures (60%, v/v, DER 1:5) of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) and Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens L.). The developed simple and effective assays permitted the quality control of both tinctures. The aim of this work was to assess the qualitative and quantitative profile of the constituents of two widely marketed commercial preparations and to evaluate chemical stability of their marker constituents during accelerated thermal stability test by HPLC analysis. Characteristic constituents of C. longa rhizomes are the curcuminoids, whereas characteristic constituents of H. procumbens are acylated iridoid glycosides and phenylethylalcohols. Constituents of Devil's claw tincture (mainly iridoids) were more stable than curcuminoids of turmeric.     

姜黄中姜黄素含量测定方法的比较

目的用不同的方法测定姜黄中姜黄素的含量及回收率,对3种方法进行了比较。方法用分光光度法、硼显色分光光度法和荧光分光光度法分别对产自四川乐山姜黄中姜黄素含量进行测定。结果用3 种方法测得的姜黄素的平均含量分别为2.16%, 2.26%和2.44%,RSD分别为1.74%,1.14%和6.80%,回收率分别为95.91%,95.14%和99.38 9/5。结论3种方法各具特点,测定中药材姜黄中姜黄素的含量时可用分光光度法,测定姜黄素复方制剂可选用硼显色分光光度法,对于微量姜黄素的含量测定宜采用荧光分光光度法。     

Antivenom and biological effects of ar-turmerone isolated from Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae)

A potent antivenom against snakebite was isolated from Curcuma longa, a plant commonly used in traditional Brazilian medicine. The fraction consisting of ar-turmerone neutralized both the hemorrhagic activity present in Bothrops jararaca venom, and the lethal effect of Crotalus durissus terrificus venom in mice. Immunological studies demonstrated that this fraction also inhibited the proliferation and the natural killer activity of human lymphocytes.