Turmeric Essential Oil Constituents as Potential Drug Candidates: A Comprehensive Overview of Their Individual Bioactivities

Turmeric essential oil (TEO) contains active compounds like ar-turmerone, germacrone, and β-elemene, which exhibit diverse pharmacological activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. These compounds show potential therapeutic applications, such as inducing apoptosis in cancer cells, providing neuroprotective effects, and enhancing drug sensitivity in tumors. Despite promising preclinical findings, further clinical trials are necessary to confirm their efficacy and safety in humans. The review emphasizes the need for more research to understand the pharmacokinetics, therapeutic index, and safety of TEO compounds, as well as their potential synergistic effects with pharmaceuticals.