Antimicrobial Activity of Turmeric

Commonly known as turmeric, Curcuma longa has many uses as foodstuff, a cosmetic and medicine. Throughout Asia, traditional medicine has long used turmeric as an anti-inflammatory to deal with a wide range of conditions, including respiratory diseases, liver disorders, sprains and sinusitis. Now, scientific research has confirmed many other healing effects of turmeric, including its ability to help the body fight off microbes.

Definitions

The term "antimicrobial" describes a substance that can either kill or hinder the growth of microbes such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. It's a general term that includes antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals antiprotozoals. Antibiotics generally treat bacterial infections, while antivirals are specific for viral infections. Antifungals help treat such infections as thrush, candidiasis, athlete's foot or ringworm, while antiprotozoals specifically deal with microscopic parasites in your body. Worms are not technically microbes, since you can see them with your naked eye.

Active Ingredients

Also called diferuloylmethane, curcumin is the main active ingredient responsible for turmeric's numerous activities. In a 2008 issue of the Biochemical Pharmacology journal, researchers also note another important group of active components called "curcumoids." Curcumoids give turmeric its signature yellow color. Turmeric also contains essential oils, as well as a variety of inactive compounds.

Antibacterial Effect

Several research studies suggest that turmeric can help combat bacterial infections. For instance, a 2009 issue of the Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology reported that aqueous extracts of turmeric showed good antimicrobial activity against such common bacteria as E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsilla pneumoniae and Staphylococcus epidermidis. You may recognize E. coli as a common cause of food poisoning. K. pneumoniae infections often affect those who are hospitalized for other reasons, but may also cause pneumonia outside the hospital. S. epidermidis is normally present on human skin, but it can make you sick if it gets to other parts of your body or if you have a weakened immune system.

Antiviral, Antifungal and Other Effects

Turmeric may also help you fight viral and fungal infections. For instance, in a 2009 issue of the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, H.J. Kim and colleagues note that aqueous extracts of turmeric suppress the hepatitis B virus without harming liver cells. A 2008 issue of Records of Natural Products reported that turmeric extracts also have moderate antifungal activity, particularly against the common yeast Candida albicans. Interestingly, in "Clinical Guide to Nutrition & Dietary Supplements," physician Jennifer Jamison remarks that turmeric can also help kill roundworms.

Mechanism of Action

Turmeric helps you fight off infections by strengthening your immune system. Jamison notes that the curcuminoids in turmeric significantly increase CD4 and CD8 counts. CD stands for "cluster of differentiation" and is a glycoprotein. CD4 and CD8 are subtypes of this glycoprotein found on the surface of different types of immune cells. They are both essential to your ability to deal with infections because they help activate and amplify your body's immune response. Kim and colleagues also found that turmeric hinders hepatitis virus multiplication by raising the level of a protein called p53.

Dosage and Toxicity

For an adult, the maintenance dose of turmeric should be 100mg, according to Jamison. Depending on the specific condition being treated, you may increase the dosage up to 1,500mg. However, scientists Ajay Goel and colleagues reported clinical trials with much higher doses, particularly with cancer patients. Along with other animal and human studies, they showed that turmeric is not toxic, even at doses as high as 12,000mg, or 12g, per day.

Considerations

Turmeric research is very much a work in progress, especially regarding its use as an antimicrobial. The antimicrobial activity of this versatile compound often seems to depend on the type of extract you use, as well as the type of infection you're dealing with. Different studies reveal different degrees of antimicrobial activity, with essential oils and aqueous extracts of turmeric showing the greatest potential. Overall, however, the scientific literature offers promising information for the use of turmeric in the prevention and treatment of infection.

References

• Biochemical Pharmacology Journal; Curcumin as ''Curecumin'': From Kitchen to Clinic; Ajay Goel et al.; 2008
• Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology; Antimicrobial Activity of Curcuma Longa Aqueous Extract; N. Niamsa and C. Sittiwet; 2009
• Records of Natural Products Journal; Biological Activity of Curcuminoids Isolated From Curcuma longa; Simay Çıkrıkçı et al.; 2008
• "Clinical Guide to Nutrition & Dietary Supplements"; Jennifer R. Jamison, MBBCh., Ph.D.; 2009
• Journal of Ethnopharmacology; Antiviral Effect of Curcuma Longa Linn Extract; H.J. Kim, H.S. Yoo et al.; 2009