Origin and "starification"

Curcuma longa is a rhizome (an underground stem) of the Zingiberacae (or ginger) family. It contains curcuminoids, which are polyphenols, responsible for the yellow-orange pigmentation in turmeric. For twenty years, the frequency of publications on turmeric has continued to grow [1], revealing a real craze for this plant, which has become known throughout the world.

In the Ayurvedic tradition (from South Asia), it is used as a medicinal herb to allow good mobility of the joints, or to preserve beautiful skin from various problems. [2]. But in general, turmeric is widely known and recognized for its antioxidant and soothing properties, especially on the intestinal sphere for example [3] ...

Curcumin, nutraceutical asset

But what does turmeric contain and who makes it so popular? Among its many molecules of interest, the famous curcuminoids (1 to 6%) remain those that have attracted the most attention of researchers. There are in fact 3 sub-categories of bioactive molecules within this family [1]:

• Curcumin (60-70% of curcuminoids),
• Demethoxycurcumin,
• Bis-Demethoxycurcumin.

Curcumin has widely recognized antioxidant activity [4]. An antioxidant, by its definition, is able to act in very small amounts on the oxidative attacks that the body must face. This is why turmeric is a real asset in the fight against the premature aging of our cells.

Choosing your turmeric

But if it sounds so much like an ideal nutraceutical, why isn't it so easy to effectively upgrade turmeric capsules?

Well, because there is a "But", and it's a big one. Indeed, scientific data has undoubtedly highlighted the low bioavailability of curcumin and that the conjugated form (weakly bioactive) appeared as the most abundant form in plasma (after oral intake) while only a very low percentage of the free form (bioactive) is thought to pass into the blood [5–8]. In addition, pure curcumin is insoluble in water and in many fats, giving it poor absorption and bioavailability (absorption capacity) characteristics. Basically, while curcumin is beneficial, taking turmeric capsules does not guarantee sufficient assimilation by the body, let alone the desired effects.

Assessment of the races, several nutraceutical challenges arose:

• Optimize the concentration of curcuminoids,
• And increase the bioavailability, that is, the ability of curcuminoids to pass into the blood so that they can reach target tissues.

It is in this context that Nutri & Co has carefully considered the best solutions to optimize the effectiveness of turmeric.

In this new version of our Curcuma², we have combined an extract that has demonstrated its high bioavailability compared to standard extracts and its tolerance: TurmiPure Gold® Bio. In addition to the consistent results in the studies to its credit, its characteristics make it an ideal candidate: 30% curcuminoids and vectorization (emulsion and microgranulation).

In the clinical pharmacological study conducted on TurmiPure Gold® Bio, the intake via 300 mg of the latter was equivalent to 2264 mg of turmeric with 95% curcuminoids + black pepper (piperine), i.e. a 22 times greater bioavailability [9 ].

If we systematically refer to curcumin as the main molecule of interest in turmeric (the majority among the curcuminoid family), its stability profile suggests that its benefits are driven by some of its metabolites. This same clinical pharmacological study has precisely demonstrated the fate of curcumin and its effective and predominant transformation into tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), one of the metabolites most highlighted by scientists today.

Turmeric is often the subject of controversy in terms of safety. The clinical intestinal tolerance study carried out on TurmiPure Gold® Bio on 60 subjects proved its tolerance and safety at an intake of 1000 mg (ie 300 mg of curcuminoids) [10].

Turmeric and benefits

In general, it should be noted that the mechanisms of action of bioactive molecules in turmeric and in particular curcumin (more widely studied) are poorly described. However, here are the scientific leads that we have in hand. Turmeric owes its beneficial action to 3 major different processes:

• Decreased histamine production,
• Strengthening the action of the adrenal hormone (kidneys), cortisol,
• Improves circulation by removing toxins from the joints.

It is through these processes that turmeric has a positive effect on joint comfort [11]. While today it is difficult to rule on precise mechanisms, some clinical studies have shed light on the beneficial roles of turmeric and its bioactive compounds. Clinical studies have shown the beneficial value of pure curcumin as an antioxidant as well as a cell defense agent (abnormal cell proliferation) [12–14].

Beyond these properties, scientific publications summarizing work on turmeric have identified that it could have effects on [15–18]:

• Improvement of gastrointestinal disorders,
• Protection of the liver,
• Microbial defenses,
• Neurological functions. 

In conclusion, in the context of joint discomfort (the main cause of the intake of turmeric), the clinical research base on the effects of turmeric suggests that supplementation may be beneficial, even if several variable criteria when studying these compounds in clinical work prevent us from drawing firm conclusions on the mechanism of action: chemical stability, water solubility, targeted activities, bioavailability, metabolism, applied dosage… [1]. In contrast, the body of evidence points to scientific evidence for the positive relationship between turmeric and joint comfort [19-22]. [10].Publications

1. Nelson, K.M.; Dahlin, J.L.; Bisson, J.; Graham, J.; Pauli, G.F.; Walters, M.A. The Essential Medicinal Chemistry of Curcumin: Miniperspective. J. Med. Chem. 2017, 60, 1620–1637.
2. Cronin, J.R. Curcumin: Old Spice Is a New Medicine. Altern. Complement. Ther. 2003, 9, 34–38.
3. Hewlings, S.; Kalman, D. Curcumin: A Review of Its’ Effects on Human Health. Foods 2017, 6, 92.
4. He, Y.; Yue, Y.; Zheng, X.; Zhang, K.; Chen, S.; Du, Z. Curcumin, Inflammation, and Chronic Diseases: How Are They Linked? Molecules 2015, 20, 9183–9213.
5. Goel, A.; Kunnumakkara, A.B.; Aggarwal, B.B. Curcumin as “Curecumin”: From kitchen to clinic. Biochem. Pharmacol. 2008, 75, 787–809.
6. Anand, P.; Kunnumakkara, A.B.; Newman, R.A.; Aggarwal, B.B. Bioavailability of Curcumin: Problems and Promises. Mol. Pharm. 2007, 4, 807–818.
7. Shoji, M.; Nakagawa, K.; Watanabe, A.; Tsuduki, T.; Yamada, T.; Kuwahara, S.; Kimura, F.; Miyazawa, T. Comparison of the effects of curcumin and curcumin glucuronide in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Food Chem. 2014, 151, 126–132.
8. Vareed, S.K.; Kakarala, M.; Ruffin, M.T.; Crowell, J.A.; Normolle, D.P.; Djuric, Z.; Brenner, D.E. Pharmacokinetics of Curcumin Conjugate Metabolites in Healthy Human Subjects. Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev. 2008, 17, 1411–1417.
9. Kumar, D.; Jacob, D.; Ps, S.; Maliakkal, A.; Nm, J.; Kuttan, R.; Maliakel, B.; Konda, V.; Im, K. Enhanced bioavailability and relative distribution of free (unconjugated) curcuminoids following the oral administration of a food-grade formulation with fenugreek dietary fibre: A randomised double-blind crossover study. J. Funct. Foods 2016, 22, 578–587.
10. Pandaran Sudheeran, S.; Jacob, D.; Natinga Mulakal, J.; Gopinathan Nair, G.; Maliakel, A.; Maliakel, B.; Kuttan, R.; Im, K. Safety, Tolerance, and Enhanced Efficacy of a Bioavailable Formulation of Curcumin With Fenugreek Dietary Fiber on Occupational Stress: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study. J. Clin. Psychopharmacol. 2016, 36, 236–243.
11. Akram, M.; Ahmed, A.; Usmanghani, K.; Hannan, A.; Mohiuddin, E.; Asif, M. CURCUMA LONGA AND CURCUMIN: A REVIEW ARTICLE. ROM J BIOL – PLANT BIOL 2010, 55, 65–70.
12. Ireson, C.; Orr, S.; Jones, D.J.L.; Verschoyle, R.; Lim, C.-K.; Luo, J.-L.; Howells, L.; Plummer, S.; Jukes, R.; Williams, M.; et al. Characterization of Metabolites of the Chemopreventive Agent Curcumin in Human and Rat Hepatocytes and in the Rat in Vivo, and Evaluation of Their Ability to Inhibit Phorbol Ester-induced Prostaglandin E2 Production. Cancer Res. 2001, 61, 1058–1064.
13. Sikora, E.; Scapagnini, G.; Barbagallo, M. Curcumin, inflammation, ageing and age-related diseases. Immun. Ageing 2010, 7, 1.
14. Sandhu, K.V.; Sherwin, E.; Schellekens, H.; Stanton, C.; Dinan, T.G.; Cryan, J.F. Feeding the microbiota-gut-brain axis: diet, microbiome, and neuropsychiatry. Transl. Res. 2017, 179, 223–244.
15. Hatcher, H.; Planalp, R.; Cho, J.; Torti, F.M.; Torti, S.V. Curcumin: From ancient medicine to current clinical trials. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 2008, 65, 1631–1652.
16. Singletary, K. Turmeric: An Overview of Potential Health Benefits. Nutr. Today 2010, 45, 216–225.
17. Gupta, S.C.; Patchva, S.; Aggarwal, B.B. Therapeutic Roles of Curcumin: Lessons Learned from Clinical Trials. AAPS J. 2013, 15, 195–218.
18. Labban, L. Medicinal and pharmacological properties of Turmeric (Curcuma longa): A review. Int J Pharm Biomed Sci 2014, 5, 17–23.
19. Yue, G.G.L.; Chan, B.C.L.; Hon, P.-M.; Kennelly, E.J.; Yeung, S.K.; Cassileth, B.R.; Fung, K.-P.; Leung, P.-C.; Lau, C.B.S. Immunostimulatory activities of polysaccharide extract isolated from Curcuma longa. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2010, 47, 342–347.
20. Madhu, K.; Chanda, K.; Saji, M.J. Safety and efficacy of Curcuma longa extract in the treatment of painful knee osteoarthritis: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Inflammopharmacology 2013, 21, 129–136.
21. Bethapudi, B.; Murugan, S.; Illuri, R.; Mundkinajeddu, D.; Velusami, C. Bioactive turmerosaccharides from Curcuma longa Extract (NR-INF-02): Potential ameliorating effect on osteoarthritis pain. Pharmacogn. Mag. 2017, 13, 623.
22. Velusami, C.C.; Richard, E.J.; Bethapudi, B. Polar extract of Curcuma longa protects cartilage homeostasis: possible mechanism of action. Inflammopharmacology 2018, 26, 1233–1243.

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