curcumin

American  

[kur-kyoo-min] / ˈkɜr kyʊ mɪn /

noun

1. the compound C 21 H 20 O 6 , a major active ingredient in turmeric and thought to have antioxidant and anticancer properties.

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curcumin British  

/ ˈkɜːkjʊmɪn /

noun

1. a yellow pigment, derived from the rhizome of Curcuma longa , and the main active ingrediant of turmeric. It is an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties

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Etymology

Origin of curcumin

1850–60; < curcum(a) + New Latin -ina -in ²

Example Sentences

Plant-based supplements containing quercetin, curcumin, and piperine improved fatigue compared with placebo.

From Science Daily • Jan. 8, 2026

High-throughput functional assays were validated using two classic atherosclerosis drugs, rosuvastatin and sirolimus, and were used to evaluate two drug candidates, curcumin and colchicine, and a potential gene therapy candidate, microRNA-146a-loaded liposomes, for treating atherosclerosis.

From Science Daily • Jan. 13, 2024

Would it be wise to delete the ibuprofen, add curcumin and make any necessary adjustments in my warfarin dosage to maintain my INR levels?

From Seattle Times • Sep. 27, 2023

In many studies only the curcumin extract is used — which makes up only about 3% of turmeric powder itself.

From Salon • May 23, 2023

Congo orange R, chrysophenin G, diamine yellow N, brilliant yellow, curcumin W, benzo orange, Hessian yellow, chrysamin R and G, cresotin yellow R and G, cotton yellow G, and carbazol yellow.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 810, July 11, 1891 by Various