Bioactive Components in Curcuma Caesia Roxb. Grown in Manipur

India has rich history of using plants for medicinal purposes. Curcuma species are well-known indigenous medicine. They are used for the treatment of various ailments and metabolic disorders. In Manipur, traditionally the rhizomes of Curcuma caesia Roxb. is used in treating leucoderma, asthma, tumours, piles, bronchitis etc. The paste is applied on bruises, contusions and rheumatic pains. Essential oils of Curcuma caesia Roxb. has been known for its antifungal activity (Banerjee and Nigam, 1976). The rhizome is also used in dysentery, diarrhea and cough. Medicinal uses of the rhizome arise from the bioactive components. Bioactive component like curcuminoids are responsible for antioxidative and antiinflammatory properties, wound healing, hypoglycemia, anticoagulant, antimicrobial activities (Chattopadhyay et al., 2004; Maheshwari, 2006). Curcuminoids exhibit free radical scavenging property (Song, 2001) and antioxidant activity (Jayaprakasha et al., 2006). The main bioactive substances in the rhizomes are due to curcumin and two related demethoxy compounds, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxy curcumin (Fig. 1).