Cytotoxicity, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of curcumins I-III from Curcuma longa

Curcumin I, curcumin II (monodemethoxycurcumin) and curcumin III (bisdemethoxycurcumin) from Curcuma longa were assayed for their cytotoxicity, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. These compounds showed activity against leukemia, colon, CNS, melanoma, renal, and breast cancer cell lines. The inhibition of liposome peroxidation by curcumins I–III at 100 μg/ml were 58, 40 and 22 %, respectively. The inhibition of COX-I and COX-II enzymes by the curcumins was observed. Curcumins I–III were active against COX-I enzyme at 125 μg/ml and showed 32, 38.5 and 39.2 % inhibition of the enzyme, respectively. Curcumins I-III also showed good inhibition of the COX-II enzyme at 125 μg/ml with 89.7, 82.5 and 58.9 % inhibition of the enzyme, respectively.