Curcuma longa

Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) and Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) are three very important spices and essential flavoring agents in many cuisines, particularly in South-East Asia. The spices are available both as fresh and in commercial packages. The present study deals with the analyses of their in vitro antioxidant profile before and after thermal processing in water. The thermal processing resembled methods commonly practiced in India for cooking, viz. pressure cooking and microwave treatment. The assays performed included DPPH radical decolorization assay, reducing power assay and assay for total phenolic contents. It was observed that the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content was different in the two types of spices, and the packaged spices were better than the fresh samples. Antioxidant activity improved in case of all the three spices after thermal processing, probably due to better solublization of the antioxidants in hot water by thermal treatment. Improvement in the total phenolic contents also substantiated the radical scavenging abilities of the spices after aqueous extraction. Among the different extraction procedures, microwave extraction was found to be most effective with respect to radical scavenging abilities.

Most of skin diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms which include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococci, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Wounds are major responsible for physical disabilities. Wound disease spread by the invasion of bacteria inside the body through skin. Bacterial infections on skin are the common ailment for generation of other diseases in the body. Wound infections represent the invasion of tissues by number of species of microorganisms. These infections disturb the body immune system and cause inflammation, tissue damage and delayed wound healing process. Rhizomes of Curcuma longa (Turmeric) and leaves of Azadirachta indica (Neem) are used for various medicinal purposes. Curcuma longa possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-hepatotoxic and anti-allergic properties. Ayurvedic texts described it to be good for skin ailments and also as a blood purifier, wound cleanser, healer, remover of body toxins, killer of abdominal worms and a wind-repellent agent etc. While Azadirachta indica is useful in tiredness, cough, fever, loss of appetite, worm infestation. It heals wound, heat-rash, boils, jaundice, leprosy, skin disorders, eye disorders, stomach ulcers, chicken pox, excessive thirst, diabetes and insect poisons. It act as anti-leprotic, antimalarial, anti-hemorrhoidal and anthelmintic agent. The present study was undertaken on evaluation of combinational effect of ethanolic extract of Curcuma longa rhizomes and Azadirachta indica leaves for wound healing activity through topical route on excision wound model. The activity was compared with standard drug Povidone Iodine ointment (5% w/w). Combinational effect of both rhizomes and leaves ethanolic extract was found to have better and faster wound healing effect than standard drug Povidone Iodine ointment on excision wound model.