scholarly journals Curcuma longa Hepatotoxicity: A Baseless Accusation. Cases Assessed for Causality Using RUCAM Method

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianmarco Stati ◽  
Francesco Rossi ◽  
Silvia Sancilio ◽  
Mariangela Basile ◽  
Roberta Di Pietro
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Glucose Dehydrogenase ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Black Pepper ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Perennial Herb ◽  
Piper Nigrum ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Drug Bioavailability

Curcuma longa is a perennial herb that belongs to the Zingiberaceae family. To date, literature includes more than 11.000 scientific articles describing all its beneficial properties. In the last 3 decades various surveys by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded that curcumin, the most active ingredient of the drug, is a “generally safe” compound with strong anti-oxidant effects. Curcuma longa was introduced in the daily diet by ayurvedic teachers due to its beneficial effects on health. Nonetheless, recently several reports, from the various global surveillance systems on the safety of plant products, pointed out cases of hepatotoxicity linked to consumption of food supplements containing powdered extract and preparations of Curcuma longa. The latest trend is the use of Curcuma longa as a weight-loss product in combination with piperine, which is used to increase its very low systemic bioavailability. Indeed, only 20 mg piperine, one of the alkaloids found in black pepper (Piper nigrum), assumed at the same time with 2 g curcumin increased 20-fold serum curcumin bioavailability. This combination of natural products is now present in several weight loss supplements containing Curcuma longa. The enhanced drug bioavailability caused by piperine is due to its potent inhibition of drug metabolism, being able to inhibit human P-glycoprotein and CYP3A4, while it interferes with UDP-glucose dehydrogenase and glucuronidation activities in liver. While only few cases of hepatotoxicity, assessed using Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method (RUCAM) method, from prolonged intake of piperine and curcumin have been reported, it would be reasonable to speculate that the suspected toxicity of Curcuma longa could be due to the concomitant presence of piperine itself. Hence, not only there is the need of more basic research to understand the etiopathology of curcumin-related hepatotoxicity and of the combination curcumin-piperine, but human trials will be necessary to settle this dispute.

scholarly journals Spices and herbs as immune enhancers and anti-inflammatory agents: A review

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Garnier ◽  
Fereidoon Shahidi
Keyword(s):  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Zingiber Officinale ◽  
Black Pepper ◽  
Crocus Sativus ◽  
Piper Nigrum ◽  
Syzygium Aromaticum ◽  
Pelargonium Sidoides ◽  
Devil’S Claw ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Pimenta Dioica

Spices and herbs have been used in traditional medicine for centuries, with research starting to accumulate on their beneficial properties. Of these properties, the immune-enhancing and anti-inflammatory capabilities of many spices and herbs have led to promising results. The current review article aims to explore the current research of several spices and herbs as immune-enhancers and anti-inflammatory agents. The spices and herbs examined are African potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea), allspice (Pimenta dioica), basil (Ocimum basilicum), black pepper (Piper nigrum), chili powders (Capsicum species), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), Devil’s claw (Harpagophytem procumbens), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), ginger (Zingiber officinale), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), oregano (Origanum vulgare), rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), rosemary/sage (Salvia rosmarinus/officinalis), saffron (Crocus sativus), South African geranium (Pelargonium sidoides), and turmeric (Curcuma longa). All the spices and herbs exhibited immune-enhancing or immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory capabilities through various processes. Rooibos and oregano had the most contradictory results, with some studies finding pro-inflammatory properties, especially at high doses regarding oregano. Turmeric had the most extensive research with positive results.

scholarly journals Prebiotic Potential of Culinary Spices Used to Support Digestion and Bioabsorption

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine T. Peterson ◽  
Dmitry A. Rodionov ◽  
Stanislav N. Iablokov ◽  
Meredith A. Pung ◽  
Deepak Chopra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Subjects ◽  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Glycosyl Hydrolase ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Zingiber Officinale ◽  
Black Pepper ◽  
Piper Nigrum ◽  
Sugar Composition ◽  
The Impact

Although the impact of medicinal and culinary herbs on health and disease has been studied to varying extents, scarcely little is known about the impact of these herbs on gut microbiota and how such effects might contribute to their health benefits. We applied in vitro anaerobic cultivation of human fecal microbiota followed by 16S rRNA sequencing to study the modulatory effects of 4 culinary spices: Curcuma longa (turmeric), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Piper longum (pipli or long pepper), and Piper nigrum (black pepper). All herbs analyzed possessed substantial power to modulate fecal bacterial communities to include potential prebiotic and beneficial repressive effects. We additionally analyzed the sugar composition of each herb by mass spectrometry and conducted genome reconstruction of 11 relevant sugar utilization pathways, glycosyl hydrolase gene representation, and both butyrate and propionate biosynthesis potential to facilitate our ability to functionally interpret microbiota profiles. Results indicated that sugar composition is not predictive of the taxa responding to each herb; however, glycosyl hydrolase gene representation is strongly modulated by each herb, suggesting that polysaccharide substrates present in herbs provide selective potential on gut communities. Additionally, we conclude that catabolism of herbs by gut communities primarily involves sugar fermentation at the expense of amino acid metabolism. Among the herbs analyzed, only turmeric induced changes in community composition that are predicted to increase butyrate-producing taxa. Our data suggests that substrates present in culinary spices may drive beneficial alterations in gut communities thereby altering their collective metabolism to contribute to the salubrious effects on digestive efficiency and health. These results support the potential value of further investigations in human subjects to delineate whether the metabolism of these herbs contributes to documented and yet to be discovered health benefits.

scholarly journals Biorational strategies for the management of insect pests of spice crops

2020 ◽  
pp. 21-37
Author(s):  
S. Devasahayam ◽  
T. K. Jacob ◽  
C. M. Senthil Kumar ◽  
M Balaji Rajkumar
Keyword(s):  
Insect Pests ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Zingiber Officinale ◽  
Black Pepper ◽  
Microbial Pathogens ◽  
Piper Nigrum ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Foeniculum Vulgare ◽  
Global Concern

Pest control strategies based on relatively non-toxic procedures that preserve the health of the ecosystem and minimizes negative effects on beneficial organisms, and utilize microbial pathogens and their products, plant natural products, semiochemicals, biotechnological strategies and reduced-risk pesticides can be termed as ‘biorational strategies’. This review consolidates the information available on the use of biorational strategies for the management of insect pests of spice crops such as Piper nigrum (black pepper), Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Curcuma longa (turmeric), Coriandrum sativum (coriander), Cuminum cyminum (cumin) and Foeniculum vulgare (fennel). The review also identifies the current gaps in knowledge and the opportunities and challenges in using biorational strategies for the production of clean spices, reflecting the global concern over pesticide misuse.

scholarly journals Piper nigrum based diet had a chemopreventive antineoplastic effect potentiated by Curcuma longa in C57BL/6 mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 188-203
Author(s):  
Pérez-Pérez Ana Isabel ◽  
Quiroz-Guerra Kimberly Alexandra ◽  
Ruiz-Escalona Evelyn Victoria ◽  
Bonfante-Cabarcas Rafael Armando
Keyword(s):  
Malignant Melanoma ◽  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Preventive Treatment ◽  
Black Pepper ◽  
Piper Nigrum ◽  
Nociceptive Response ◽  
Tumor Onset ◽  
Antineoplastic Effect

Background: Medicinal plants represent a proven alternative strategy to treat cancer. Objective: To determine Curcuma longa (turmeric) and Piper nigrum (black pepper) effects in vitro and on the evolution of malignant melanoma B16F10 in C57BL/6 mice. Methods: 103 female mice divided in 4 groups: Control (n=44), Turmeric (n=20), Pepper (n=21), Turpepp (n=18). Turmeric 5% and/or pepper 0.5% were mixed with a dough made of pre-cooked cornmeal, eggs and coconut milkshake and given ad libitum to experimental groups as main diet; control received dough based diet. 200,000 melanoma cells were transplanted into right leg hind paw. Clinical, psychological, pathological and biochemical parameters were evaluated in vivo to measure melanoma progression. In vitro, metabolic activity was measured by quantifying anaerobic glycolysis and viability through MTT assay. Results: Combined preventive treatment with turmeric and pepper increased latency time for tumor onset, improved locomotor activity, preserved nociceptive response, decreased tumor volume and weight, reduced metastases and increased survival. These results were reproduced in the Pepper group, but with less statistical force; however, pepper showed greater potency in vitro experiments. Conclusion: Pepper showed an antineoplastic chemopreventive activity in B16F10 malignant melanoma, which was enhanced by the synergistic effect of turmeric.

scholarly journals Phenolic Contents, Metal Contaminations, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Five Medicinal Dietary Spices

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62
Author(s):  
Muhammad Riaz ◽  
Saima Manzoor ◽  
Sadia Naseem ◽  
Sehrish Saddiq ◽  
Rehana Rashid
Keyword(s):  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Antibacterial Properties ◽  
Antimicrobial Properties ◽  
Pharmaceutical Journal ◽  
Black Pepper ◽  
Piper Nigrum ◽  
Syzygium Aromaticum ◽  
White Pepper ◽  
Phenolic Contents ◽  
Permissible Limits

Five exotic dietary and medicinal spices (Trachyspermum ammi, Curcuma longa, Piper nigrum (Black pepper, Anacardium occidentate, Syzygium aromaticum) were studied for their metal contaminations, phenolic contents, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. White pepper contains maximum phenolic contents and black pepper showed higher antioxidant potential. Clove showed maximum antimicrobial potential (25-30 mm) against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (18-21 mm). White pepper contained maximum phenolic contents. Estimation of metal contamination in spices indicated that K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Co, As, Hg, Mo were above the standard permissible limits (SPL), Cr, Ni and Cd within standard permissible limits, whereas, Fe, Zn, Mn and Pb were below standard permissible limits.Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 21(1): 55-62, 2018

scholarly journals Insecticidal effect of some spices on Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) in black gram seeds

1970 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 47-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shah Hussain Ahmad Mahdi ◽  
Md Khaladur Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Callosobruchus Maculatus ◽  
Nigella Sativa ◽  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Black Pepper ◽  
Piper Nigrum ◽  
Syzygium Aromaticum ◽  
Black Gram ◽  
Black Cumin ◽  
Insecticidal Effect ◽  
Extent Of Damage

The experiment was conducted to investigate the insecticidal potency of some spices eg. clove (Syzygium aromaticum), black pepper (Piper nigrum), ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), black cardamom (Amomum subulatum), nutmeg (Myristica fragnans), black cumin (Nigella sativa), turmeric (Curcuma longa), red pepper (Capsicum frutescens), cumin (Cuminum cyminum), green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) and bay leaf (Cinnamomum tamala), against the pulse beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) on stored black gram (Phaseolus bengalensis L.). Data were recorded on days to 100% mortality; number of adults emerged and weight loss (%) of black gram. All the spices were effective as protectants of black gram seeds. However, clove and black pepper were most effective. Key words: Callosobruchus maculatus, stored black gram, mortality, adult emerge, extent of damage. doi:10.3329/ujzru.v27i0.1953 Univ. j. zool. Rajshahi Univ. Vol. 27, 2008 pp. 47-50

scholarly journals Current status of plant parasitic nematodes and their management of major spice crops

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashid Pervez
Keyword(s):  
Curcuma Longa ◽  
Phytophthora Capsici ◽  
Brown Rot ◽  
Black Pepper ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Piper Nigrum ◽  
Parasitic Nematodes ◽  
Root Knot Nematode ◽  
Meloidogyne Spp ◽  
Lesion Nematode

Major spices crops such as black pepper (Piper nigrum L.), cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton.) and turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) production in India is sustained losses due to several reasons. Among them, one of the major constraints are nematode infesting diseases, which causes significant yield losses and affecting their productivity. The major nematode pests infesting these crops include burrowing nematode Radopholus similis; root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica on black pepper. Whereas, lesion nematode, Pratylenchus sp., M. incognita and R. similis infesting cardamom and turmeric crops. Black pepper is susceptible to a number of diseases of which slow decline caused by R. similis and M. incognita or Phytophthora capsici  either alone and in combination and root knot disease caused by Meloidogyne spp. are the major ones.  Root knot disease caused by Meloidogyne spp. is major constraints in the successful cultivation and production in cardamom. Turmeric is susceptible to a number of diseases such as brown rot disease is caused by Fusarium sp. and lesion nematode, Pratylenchus sp. and root knot disease caused by M. incognita. Adoption of integrated pest management schedules is important in these crops since excessive use of pesticides could lead to pesticide residues in the produce affecting human health and also causing other ecological hazards. 

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