Curcumin is an orange-yellow, crystal powder which is insoluble in water and soluble in alcohol. Curcumin is found in the root of the turmeric plant Curcuma longa. The plant originates from south Asia and is widespread throughout India, Malaysia, Ceylon and Japan. It is used for dyeing food, cotton, wool and silk and for coloring oils and waxes. It is also used for preparing curcuma paper, as an analytical reagent. Curcumin is the substance that gives the curry spice turmeric its yellow color that is present in many Indian foods. This is also the main active ingredient of the turmeric spice, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric has been used to treat atherosclerosis, cancer, gallbladder disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Recent studies demonstrated that curcumin may also fight multiple sclerosis.
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Common molecules
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