Review - Phytomedicine (Turmeric)

Abstract

The skin work for body as a first line protection against Mechanical Chemical and Thermal damage to the internal organs. They include the extremely developed immune response that work as a barrier against pathogenic infections. The skin integrity is required by a physiological process for repairing the damage tissue. Healing process is proceeds by four phases-HEMOSTASIS, INFLAMMATION, PROLIFERATION AND REMODELING The natural Phyto-medicine are hold extensive pharmacological property that use in the treatment of wound and infection prevention. It is most popular in the general population and all over the world. The Phyto medicine are high used for the wound healing Sach as - MIMOSA, ALOE VERA, GINSENG, JOJOBA, GREEN TEA, GARLIC, GINKGO, LEMON, OLIVE OIL, SOYBEA, OCIMUM. The article provides a review of the common beneficial medicinal plant for the management of skin wounds.

Introduction

Phytomedicine refers to the use of whole plants, plant parts, or plant-derived substances—such as essential oils and extracts—for preventing and treating diseases. It includes various forms like herbal teas, oral supplements, topical applications, and inhalation therapies. These remedies, rooted in ancient practices, are now studied scientifically to ensure their quality, safety, and therapeutic effectiveness. Examples include beta-sitosterol for skin and heart health, ginger for nausea, and green tea for potential antioxidant and metabolic benefits.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Turmeric is a perennial herb from the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family, widely used as a spice, dye, and traditional remedy. The plant thrives in warm, humid climates of India and Southeast Asia. Its rhizomes are harvested, dried, and ground into the well-known yellow-orange powder. While turmeric has a long history in Ayurvedic medicine, there is no strong clinical evidence supporting curcumin or turmeric as treatments for specific diseases, and highly bioavailable forms have been associated with rare cases of liver injury.

Morphology

Turmeric grows up to 1 meter tall and possesses branching aromatic rhizomes. The plant has large, oblong leaves arising from a false stem and produces yellowish, hermaphroditic flowers arranged in a terminal inflorescence.

Extraction of Turmeric (Curcumin)

Curcumin is typically extracted from turmeric using solvent extraction techniques (e.g., ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate) through a Soxhlet apparatus. Modern methods like ultrasound- or microwave-assisted extraction allow for faster and more efficient yields. After extraction, solvents are removed, and curcumin is purified through crystallization or chromatography.

Phytochemistry

Turmeric contains carbohydrates (60–70%), proteins, fats, minerals, essential oils, and curcuminoids (1–6%). Curcumin is responsible for turmeric’s golden color and represents about 3% of turmeric powder by weight. Additional compounds include demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, and numerous essential oils such as turmerone and zingiberene.

Mechanism of Action

Curcumin exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by modulating cellular pathways such as NF-κB and activating protective systems like Nrf2/HO-1. It helps reduce oxidative stress, influence immune function, regulate insulin sensitivity, and support tissue repair—mechanisms believed to contribute to turmeric’s wide therapeutic potential.

Conclusion

Turmeric is concluded to be a potent, natural medicinal compound with wide-ranging health benefits, primarily due to its active ingredient, curcumin, which boasts strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Historically used in traditional medicine, modern science has validated its potential in preventing and treating conditions like inflammation, cancer, Alzheimer\'s, and diabetes, though its solubility and degradation in the body present challenges.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Chandan Mani Shukla, Sujeet Pratap Singh, Pramod Mishra, Tarkeshwar Prasad Shukla. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.