Curcumin is a beta-diketone and polyphenol found in the root of *Curcuma longa*. It is a natural dyestuff and has the structure of methane with two hydrogens substituted by feruloyl groups. Curcumin functions as a beta-diketone, enone, diarylheptanoid, and aromatic ether. It is functionally related to trans-ferulic acid. It acts as a metabolite, anti-inflammatory agent, antineoplastic agent, hepatoprotective agent, flavouring agent, biological pigment, nutraceutical, antifungal agent, dye, lipoxygenase inhibitor, ligand, radical scavenger, contraceptive drug, EC 3.5.1.98 (histone deacetylase) inhibitor, immunomodulator, iron chelator, neuroprotective agent, food colouring, EC 1.1.1.21 (aldehyde reductase) inhibitor, EC 1.1.1.25 (shikimate dehydrogenase) inhibitor, EC 1.1.1.205 (IMP dehydrogenase) inhibitor, EC 1.6.5.2 [NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (quinone)] inhibitor, EC 1.8.1.9 (thioredoxin reductase) inhibitor, EC 2.7.10.2 (non-specific protein-tyrosine kinase) inhibitor, and a geroprotector.
