Guwahati: In a breakthrough for India’s plant-based pharmaceutical research, scientists from Assam have discovered a novel bioactive compound from Curcuma caesia Roxb., commonly known as black turmeric—a medicinal herb deeply rooted in traditional healing systems across Northeast India.
The collaborative study was conducted by researchers from the Royal School of Pharmacy at The Assam Royal Global University, in partnership with the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dibrugarh University. The research led to the identification of a previously unreported sesquiterpenoid ketone: 2-Methyl-6-(1-methyl-4-methylene-cyclohex-2-enyl)-heptan-4-one. The compound has been published in the Indian Patent Journal, underscoring its significance in the realm of plant-derived drug discovery.
The study was led by Dr. Sudarshana Borah Khanikor, along with Prof. (Dr.) L.K. Nath, Prof. (Dr.) Debarupa Dutta Chakraborty, and Prof. (Dr.) Prithviraj Chakraborty from The Assam Royal Global University, in collaboration with Prof. (Dr.) Hemanta Kumar Sharma of Dibrugarh University.
“Our research validates the medicinal use of Curcuma caesia in traditional practices,” said Dr. Borah Khanikor. “This compound represents not only a scientific advancement but also a recognition of indigenous knowledge systems.”
Traditionally used in Ayurvedic and folk medicine, black turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and adaptogenic properties. However, it has received relatively little scientific attention compared to its botanical cousin, Curcuma longa. Field interactions with traditional healers across Arunachal Pradesh, Garo Hills, Karbi Anglong, and other tribal areas helped researchers identify consistent ethnomedicinal applications of this rhizome, laying the foundation for their hypothesis.
The researchers followed a systematic phytochemical workflow. Freshly collected rhizomes were shade-dried and powdered before being subjected to solvent extraction.
The crude extract was then fractionated using silica gel column chromatography. The compound was isolated based on its unique retention factor and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) profile.
Advanced spectroscopic tools were employed to confirm the compound’s structure. These included ¹H and ¹³C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), 2D NMR techniques like COSY, HSQC, and HMBC, along with Infrared (IR) spectroscopy and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HR-MS).
The comprehensive analysis confirmed the compound’s structure and revealed its potential therapeutic properties.
Initial findings suggest that the molecule possesses strong antioxidant capacity and may exhibit anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anticancer effects. Given its novel structure and pharmacological promise, the compound is attracting attention from biotech incubators and pharmaceutical researchers.
An earlier study conducted by Dr. Borah Khanikor had highlighted the rhizome’s bioactive compounds, including Androstenediol, Zederone, and a novel Cyclohexenyl Heptanone derivative, as key agents in combating disease pathways.
Published in several Scopus-indexed journals—3 Biotech (Springer Nature, Vol. 11, Issue 5, 2021), CNS & Neurological Drug Targets (Bentham Science, Vol. 21, Issue 14, 2022), and the Journal of Neonatal Surgery (Vol. 14, Issue 8s, 2025)—the research underscored the therapeutic promise of these compounds in targeting amyloid beta plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, and inducing apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cells.
“Our findings suggest that these compounds not only target amyloid beta plaques—a hallmark of Alzheimer’s—but also induce apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cells,” said Dr. Borah Khanikor. “This validates traditional knowledge through rigorous science and offers a culturally relevant alternative to expensive, often inaccessible therapies.”
In terms of neurological disorders, the study supports black turmeric’s efficacy in modulating gut-brain pathways, reducing oxidative stress, and inhibiting acetylcholinesterase—an enzyme linked to memory loss in Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Government-backed platforms such as BIRAC and the Ministry of AYUSH have expressed interest in supporting further studies. Planned next steps include detailed preclinical trials, formulation development, and toxicology assessments. Researchers are also exploring intellectual property protection and industry collaborations to translate this discovery into a commercially viable product.
The discovery not only adds to India’s growing contributions to natural product drug discovery but also reinforces the relevance of Northeast India’s biodiversity. By bridging traditional knowledge and modern science, this breakthrough stands as a model for ethical bioprospecting and sustainable healthcare innovation rooted in cultural heritage.
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