Genetic resources ofCurcuma: diversity, characterization and utilization

作者：B. Sasikumar · 发表于：Plant Genetic Resources · 年份：2005 · DOI：10.1079/pgr200574 · 被引用次数：276 · 研究领域：Curcumin's Biomedical Applications、Ginger and Zingiberaceae research、Pharmacological Effects of Medicinal Plants

The genusCurcuma(familyZingiberaceae) comprising over 80 species of rhizomatous herbs, is endowed with widespread adaptation from sea level to altitude as high as 2000 m in the Western Ghats and Himalayas. Having originated in the Indo-Malayan region, the genus is widely distributed in the tropics of Asia to Africa and Australia.Curcumaspecies exhibit inter- and intra-specific variation for the biologically active principles coupled with morphological variation with respect to the above-ground vegetative and floral characters as well as the below-ground rhizome features besides for curcumin, oleoresin and essential oil.Curcumais gaining importance world over as a potential source of new drug(s) to combat a variety of ailments as the species contain molecules credited with anti-inflammatory, hypocholestraemic, choleratic, antimicrobial, insect repellent, antirheumatic, antifibrotic, antivenomous, antiviral, antidiabetic, antihepatotoxic as well as anticancerous properties. Turmeric oil is also used in aromatherapy and in the perfume industry. Though the traditional Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine and Chinese medicine long ago recognized the medicinal property of turmeric in its crude form, the last few decades have witnessed extensive research interests in the biological activity and pharmacological actions ofCurcuma, especially the cultivated species. Turmeric powder obtained from rhizomes ofCurcuma longaor related species is extensively used as a spice, food preservative...