curcumin and Scabies

Members of the Curcuma plant species (Zingiberaceae) have been used for centuries in cooking, cosmetics, staining and in traditional medicine as "omnipotent" remedies. Herbal preparations made with, and molecules extracted from, Curcuma have been shown to possess a wide variety of pharmacological properties against malignant proliferation, hormonal disorders, inflammation, and parasitosis among other conditions. This review evaluates Curcuma and its associated bioactive compounds, particularly focusing on studies examining the parasiticidal activity of these components against the tropical parasites Plasmodium, leishmania, Trypanosoma, Schistosoma and more generally against other cosmopolitan parasites (nematodes, Babesia, Candida, Giardia, Coccidia and Sarcoptes).

Topics: Animals; Antiparasitic Agents; Babesiosis; Coccidiosis; Curcuma; Curcumin; Giardiasis; Helminthiasis; Humans; Leishmaniasis; Malaria; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases; Plant Preparations; Scabies; Schistosomiasis; Trypanosomiasis

In the Ayurvedha and Sidha system of medicine (Indian system of medicine) Azadirachta indica ADR ('Neem') and Curcuma longa ('Turmeric') has been used for healing chronic ulcers and scabies. The 'Neem' and 'Turmeric' was used as a paste for the treatment of scabies in 814 people. In 97% of cases cure was obtained within 3 to 15 days of treatment. We find that this is a very cheap, easily available, effective and acceptable mode of treatment for the villagers in the developing countries. We have noticed no toxic or adverse reaction so far. However, further research is needed.

Topics: Administration, Topical; Adolescent; Adult; Child; Child, Preschool; Curcumin; Female; Glycerides; Humans; India; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Medicine, Ayurvedic; Middle Aged; Pilot Projects; Plant Oils; Scabies; Terpenes; Treatment Outcome