Page 131 - Pharmacognosy-II (06-PG 303)

Subterranean stems containing volatile oils
3. Curcuma (Turmeric) ‫الكركم‬

Botanical origin: Japanese turmeric consists of the dried rhizome, cut in
slices, of Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb. (Zingiberaceae). It contains not less
than 50 ml/kg of essential oil and not less than 1.0 per cent of dicinnamoyl
methane derivatives expressed as curcumin , both calculated with reference to
the anhydrous drug.

Constituents:
Pale yellow to orange-yellow volatile oil (6%): monoterpenes and
sesquiterpenes, including zingiberene, curcumene, α- and β- turmerone.

• Colouring principles (5%): curcuminoids, 50– 60% of which are a mixture
of curcumin.

• Recent researches has identified curcumin as responsible for most of the
biological activity of turmeric.

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