Antimicrobial and Anticarcinogenic Compounds from Endangered Plant Curcuma zedoaria (White Turmeric) and Pharmacological Activities – A Review

Abstract

Around 80% of human population in the world relies on herbal or phytomedicines for their primary health care needs. The treatment of many diseases and disorders with phytomedicines is considered and observed as very safe with no or minimal side effects. Many medicinal plants and their preparations are practised at home as remedies for treating and preventing various diseases and disorders. Curcuma is a genus of about 100 accepted species in the family Zingiberaceae. Few known species of Curcuma with reported pharmacological activity are Curcuma longa, Curcuma aeruginosa, Curcuma pseudomontana, Curcuma aromatica, Curcuma xanthorrhiza, Curcuma zedoaria, Curcuma angustifolia.