144ANTIOXIDANT AND CYTOPROTECTIVE PROPERTIES OF CURCUMA LONGA RHIZOME EXTRACTCurcuma longa rhizome extract is a compound that has therapeutic potential and was evaluated on its antioxidant and cytoprotective effects using different in-vitro methods. The extract had strong radical scavenging properties, which include DPPH, ABTS, superoxide, and hydroxyl radical scavenging powers. These results indicate that curcumin, flavonoids and tannins are the bioactive compounds in turmeric that provide a significant contribution to the antioxidant effect of the compound by neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, the extract had a high capacity to decrease intracellular ROS in C2C12 cells, which implies its use as a neuroprotectant. The antioxidant and antioxidative property of LDL was also found to be inhibited by turmeric extract, which further substantiates the cardiovascular protective properties of turmeric extract. These findings indicate that Curcuma longa rhizome extract possesses high therapeutic potential in the management of diseases associated with oxidative stress such as those caused by neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. More in-vivo experiments are required to prove its effectiveness and safetysivanageshmekala@yahoo.comResearch1612026Turmeric, Curcuma longa, antioxidant, radical scavengingDr. Siva Nageswara Rao Mekala1*, Dr. Ali Said Yussuf1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The State University of Zanzibar – Tanzania. 2Department of Surgery, The State University of Zanzibar, Tanzania.