Turmeric contains volatile oils which may have value in type 2 diabetes. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) volatile oil inhibits key enzymes linked to type 2 diabetes.
Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2012 Mar 5. Epub 2012 Mar 5. PMID: 22385048
Agroprocessing and Natural Products Division, National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR) , Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala , India.
Anti-diabetic capacity of Curcuma longa volatile oil in terms of its ability to inhibit glucosidase activities was evaluated. Turmeric volatile oils inhibited glucosidase enzymes more effectively than the reference standard drug acarbose. Drying of rhizomes was found to enhanceα-glucosidase (IC(50) = 1.32-0.38 μg/ml) and α-amylase (IC(50) = 64.7-34.3 μg/ml) inhibitory capacities of volatile oils. Ar-Turmerone, the major volatile component in the rhizome also showed potent α-glucosidase (IC(50) = 0.28 μg) and α-amylase (IC(50) = 24.5 μg) inhibition.