2022, Vol. 10, Issue 2, Part C

author(s)
Rekapalli Chetan, Sribasta Debata, Sangeeta Kumari and Deoraj Sharma

abstract
The purpose of this article is to provide a brief overview on the research done regarding the antibiotic property of Turmeric and its role in treating infections by providing bacterial resistance and thus, acting as an natural antibiotic. Turmeric, a spice that has been long recognized by both the medical and scientific world for its medicinal properties. It helps in the treatment of oxidative and inflammatory conditions, arthritis, metabolic syndrome, hyperlipidemia and anxiety because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin, a principal bioactive substance of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), is reported as a strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral agent. In this work, we tested curcumin’s efficacy against over 100 strains of pathogens belonging to 19 species. This activity was determined by the broth microdilution method and by calculating the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Our findings confirmed a much greater sensitivity of Gram-positive than Gram-negative bacteria. Similarly, the MICs of the MDR types of Staphylococcus aureus and S. haemolyticus were high. However, curcumin was effective against some species and strains: Streptococcus pyogenes, methicillin-sensitive S. aureus, and individual strains of Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Hence, turmeric can be considered as a promising antibacterial agent, but with a very selective activity.