ABSTRACT
Phenyl Ring ................................................................... 116 4.7.2 Curcumin Analogs with Change in Basic Skeleton
and Functional Groups ................................................................. 116 4.7.2.1 Analogs with One Phenyl Ring ..................................... 117 4.7.2.2 Analogs with Heterocyclic Rings .................................. 118 4.7.2.3 Variation in Linker Length or Other Modifi cations
along with Changes in Aromatic Substitution .............. 118 4.7.2.4 Analogs with Different Substitutions
in Aryl Rings ................................................................. 118 4.7.3 Curcumin Analogs Conjugated with Bioactive Species
(Proteins and Oligonucleotides) ................................................... 123 4.7.3.1 Analogs Conjugated with Oligonucleotides
(DNA/RNA) .................................................................. 123 4.7.3.2 Analogs Conjugated with Proteins ................................ 123
4.8 Conclusion ............................................................................................... 125 Acknowledgments ............................................................................................. 125 References ......................................................................................................... 126
The turmeric plant (Curcuma longa) is a perennial herb belonging to the ginger family that is cultivated extensively in India and Southeast Asia. The rhizome (a modifi ed stem) is the most useful part of the plant. It is used as a dietary spice,
as a coloring agent in foods and textiles, and as medicine for numerous diseases. The rhizome is rich in curcuminoids. Curcumin is the most biologically active curcuminoid of turmeric and makes up 2% to 5% of the spice. The characteristic yellow color of turmeric is due to curcumin.
