Medicinal Plant Research 2025, Vol.15, No.6, 254-263 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 255 Chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation are among the principal causes of many pathological conditions, such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes and obesity, and neurodegenerative diseases represented by Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Chronic inflammatory signaling in combination with uncontrollable cytokine production, oxidative stress, and inappropriate activation of immune cells all jointly contribute to tissue damage, disruption of metabolic homeostasis, and progression of a disease. Among central inflammatory pathways, NF-κB, MAPK, JAK/STAT, and NLRP3 inflammasome signaling have a place of prime importance in the onset and maintenance of these disorders. Given that they are complicated and multifactorial diseases, therapeutic approaches have increasingly required the capability for modulating multiple molecular targets in their course. Thus, natural compounds that may exert wide-ranging regulatory functions, such as curcumin and its analogs, have been increasingly focused upon in research (Cozmin et al., 2024). This study gives a state-of-the-art overview of the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of Curcuma longa and its major curcuminoids. We outline herein the chemical nature and bioactive components of turmeric; the molecular mechanisms by which curcumin modulates key inflammatory pathways and immune responses; findings from in vitro studies, animal models, and clinical research; factors affecting its bioavailability and metabolism, including interaction with the gut microbiota; and considerations about safety, therapeutic potential, and current challenges for clinical translation. This study synthesizes evidence at the molecular, cellular, and systemic levels and provides scientific insights that may be supportive of developing curcuminoid-based interventions for the prevention and management of chronic inflammatory and immune-related diseases. 2 Major Bioactive Components of Curcuma longa: Types and Chemical Properties 2.1 Curcumin and its derivatives The main curcuminoid in turmeric is curcumin, which usually consists of 60%-70% of the total curcuminoids, followed by demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin. All these curcuminoids have a diarylheptanoid skeleton, and the difference in methoxy group substitution changes the solubility and biological activity of these compounds. Curcumin is a hydrophobic polyphenol responsible for yellow coloration in turmeric and is highly recognized for possessing anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin also present significant bioactivity, including anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activity (Fuloria et al., 2022; Cozmin et al., 2024; Roney et al., 2024). The main rhizome is referred to as “mother rhizome” or bulb, with a central pear shape (Figure 1). The lateral branches of mother rhizomes are referred to as secondary rhizomes, also called lateral or “finger rhizomes”. Mother rhizomes were more matured when compared to finger rhizomes, thus possessing higher concentrations of curcuminoids and probably higher essential contents than finger rhizomes. However, finger rhizomes bear a higher yield of curcumin when compared to mother rhizomes (Setzer et al., 2021). 2.2 Curcuminoids and other phenolic compounds Besides the three major curcuminoids, turmeric contains other phenolic compounds such as tetrahydrocurcumin and curcuminol that contribute to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Such phenolics can act as free radical scavengers and modulate various cellular pathways. Turmeric essential oils are rich in sesquiterpenoids (ar-turmerone, α-turmerone, β-turmerone), monoterpenoids (α-phellandrene, 1,8-cineole), and other terpenoids. These volatile oils have been reported to possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective activities and, thus may improve the absorptive potential and efficacy of curcuminoids (Setzer et al., 2021). It also contains minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, and phosphorus; trace amounts of vitamins; polysaccharides; flavonoids; alkaloids; and sterols, factors that enhance its nutritional value and, possibly, its therapeutic benefits (Fuloria et al., 2022; Roney et al., 2024).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==