In the present study, the levels of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, as well as activities of radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity) and anti-obesity were assessed with cold water (CLC), hot water (CLH), and methanolic (CLM) extracts of Curcuma longa L. (turmeric). Our results showed that the phenolic compounds of CLC, CLH and CLM were 3.68±0.80%, 3.94±0.74% and 9.01±0.73%, respectively. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities of the CLM were significantly higher than that of the water extracts (CLC and CLH). During the adipocyte differentiation, the treatment of CLM more significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells than that of the water extracts. These results indicate that the stimulation of radical scavenging potential and the inhibition of adipogenesis were brought on by the lipophilic compounds of turmeric.