Curcumin, a natural isolate from Curcuma longa (turmeric) with high β-hematin inhibitory potential

Abstract

Natural curcuminod isolates from turmeric Curcuma longa that belongs to ginger family Zingiberaceae were collected using reversed phase preparative HPLC coupled to photodiode array detector and their in-vitro effect on β-hematin inhibition were explored. Turmeric ethanolic crude extract was ten-fold less active in comparison to chloroquine positive control. Moreover, semi-quantitative and quantitative analysis results revealed that curcumin analytical standard, and to a lesser extent, the turmeric three natural isolates impeded β-hematin formation in a relatively comparable extent to chloroquine and amodiaquine positive controls. This result unequivocally indicates the key role curcumin active ingredient plays as an inhibitor of β-hematin formation. Edible turmeric root powder is commercially available and safe to use.