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Corresponding Author

Norrizah Jaafar Sidik

Authors ORCID

Norrizah Jaafar Sidik: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8965-0821

Abstract

Curcuma zedoaria Rosc. (white turmeric) is a rhizomatous medicinal plant in the Zingiberaceae family, widely used in traditional Asian medicine. In recent years, increasing scientific attention has focused on its diverse pharmacological properties and bioactive constituents. This mini review summarises current knowledge of the phytochemical composition and biological activities of C. zedoaria, with particular emphasis on its antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Phytochemical investigations using analytical techniques such as GC–MS and HPLC have revealed the presence of numerous bioactive compounds, including sesquiterpenes (example, germacrone, curzerenone, and curdione) and curcuminoids, which contribute to its therapeutic potential. Experimental studies demonstrate that extracts and essential oils of C. zedoaria exhibit inhibitory effects against various bacterial pathogens, strong radical-scavenging capacity in multiple antioxidant assays, and notable anti-inflammatory activity in animal models. Furthermore, several studies report antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects against different cancer cell lines. Despite these promising findings, limitations remain due to variations in extraction methods, insufficient mechanistic investigations, and the low bioavailability of certain phytochemicals. Therefore, further research focusing on standardised phytochemical characterisation, detailed mechanistic studies, and improved formulation strategies is required to support the development of C. zedoaria-derived therapeutic agents.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.70176/3007-973X.1057

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