Curcuma longa (Turmeric): Ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities and toxicity profiles—A review

Introduction: Curcuma longa, popularly known as Turmeric, is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant used in folk medicine for the treatment, prevention, and management of various illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, Arthritis, diarrhoea, inflammation, psoriasis, hepatobiliary diseases, gastric and peptic ulcers. Results: This study reviewed the ethnomedicinal potentials, phytochemicals, and pharmacological activities of C. longa. In vitro and in vivo studies reported that C. longa and its major bioactive constituent (curcumin) pos�sess various pharmacological properties. These include; anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-osteoarthritis, antidiar�rheal, cardioprotective, anti-oxidative, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, anti-microbial, renoprotective and anti-inflammatory activities. This review demonstrated that the various pharmacological activities of C. longa might be attributed to the presence of numerous bioactive compounds. However, these varying potentials have not been effectively analysed for optimal application in developing new therapies. Also, the applicability and mode of action of the different bioactive compounds found in C. longa have not been fully exploited. Conclusion: This study showed that C. longa could be exploited by pharmaceutical industries to develop phar�maceutical products. However, there is a need for human clinical trials and quality control studies to establish effective and safe doses of C. longa and its major bioactive constituent-curcumin suitable for treating several disease

Lipid peroxidation and activity of some antioxidative enzymes in the root of maize (Zea mays) cultivated on cadmium contamination soil

In this study, we examined the tolerance capacity of Zea mays to cadmium pollution. Soil was treated with varied concentrations of Cadmium; 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg and 30 mg/kg soil and Zea mays planted. Root samples were collected in weeks 3, 4, 5 and 6. Activities of Peroxidase, catalase superoxide dismutase, and lipid peroxidation were investigated. Decrease in peroxidase activity was extremely significant (p <0.05) in weeks 4 and 5 while that of week 6 was not significantly (p > 0.05) different from normal. The decrease correlated with increase in Cadmium concentration. However, at the highest concentration of 30 mg/kg of soil the trend was not significant. Increase in the activity of catalase was recorded in weeks 3 and 6. This increase didn’t follow a particular trend but at higher  concentration of Cd and long term exposure, it became apparent. There was a negative correlation between catalase activity and lipid peroxidation. In week 3, catalase activity was not significant (p > 0.05) and lipid peroxidation was significant (p < 0.05) while at week 4, catalase activity was significant (p < 0.05) and lipid peroxidation was not significant (p = 0.8432). Catalase activity was not significant (p = 0.2753) at week 5 and lipid peroxidation was significant (p = 0.0030). At week 6 when catalase activity became extremely significant (p < 0.05), lipid peroxidation had a p value of 0.0128. Generally no significant activity (p > 0.05) was observed for superoxide dismutase. A significant increase in absorption of cadmium (p = 0.0374) at 30mg/kg soil was observed between weeks 5 and 6. It was also observed that cadmium had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on the root weight during the period of study. It’s suggestive therefore Cadmiumcontamination of soil could affect growth of maize and induce oxidative stress. &nbsp

Cytotoxic assessment of xylopia aethiopica dun. a. on human prostate and breast cancer cell lines

Cancer is associated with the unregulated multiplication of cells in specific parts of the body. Plant-derived products are employed in the treatment and management of such malignant tumours. Prostate and breast cancers are the most common forms affecting Nigerians. Our aim is to investigate the cytotoxic effect of Xylopia aethiopica, a commonly consumed spice in Nigeria, on selected cancer cell lines. The antiproliferative activity of X. aethiopica ethanol extract of varying concentrations was assessed on MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and LNCaP using MTT assay. A dose-dependent antiproliferative activity was observed. The IC50 for X. aethiopica on the cell lines were � 4.506 ± 0.07 µg/mL except for MCF-7 at 72 hours, where 18.86 ± 0.20 µg/mL was recorded. The findings from this study indicate the potential antiproliferative and cytotoxic property of X. aethiopica on human prostate and breast cancer cell lines. © 2020 Iweala et al