Safe compounds that can stop the growth of tumor cells are possible treatments for cancer. Curcumin is the most active part of the spice turmeric (Curcuma longa). It has activity against cancer in animals. In test tube experiments it suppressed steps of gene expression. These were c-jun/Ap-1 and NF-kappaB activation and type 1 human immunodeficiency virus long-terminal repeat-directed gene expression. These scientists measured the effects of curcumin on the growth of several breast tumor cell lines. These included hormone-dependent and -independent and multidrug-resistant lines. Cell growth was measures by [3H]thymidine incorporation, Trypan blue exclusion, crystal violet dye uptake and flow cytometry. Curcumin inhibited the growth of all the cell lines tested. The effect of curcumin was greater when it was used for longer times and in greater amounts. Curcumin preferentially arrested cells in the G2/S phase of the cell cycle. These are the parts of the cycle when DNA is replicated and the cell is prepared for division. Curcumin-induced cell death was neither due to apoptosis nor to any significant change in the expression of apoptosis-related genes. Apoptosis is a type of programmed, deliberate cell death in which the cell corpses and fragments are safely disposed. Overall these results suggest that curcumin strongly reduces the growth (proliferation) of breast tumor cells and may be a possible anticancer drug.
Antiproliferative effect of curcumin (diferuloylme…[Anticancer Drugs. 1997]
Archive for August, 2008
Curcumin inhibits the growth of human breast cancer cells
Saturday, August 16th, 2008The formation of cataracts in rats reduced by Curcumin
Saturday, August 16th, 2008Cataracts in the elderly are an important health problem worldwide. Cataracts (clouding over of the lens of the eye) are thought to be caused by oxidative stress. Increasing the antioxidant defenses of the lens prevents or delays the formation of cataracts. Anti-oxidants are chemicals that reduce free radicals. Because free radicals cause chain reactions that damage cells, anti-oxidants are thought to help in a number of illnesses. These scientists tested whether curcumin, an antioxidant, present in the spice turmeric, prevented cataract formation in rats. Rats were maintained on a standard diet for 2 weeks. Then they were divided into two groups. One was given a dose of corn oil alone for 14 days. The other group was fed 75 milligrams of curcumin in corn oil per kilogram of weight for 14 days. Their lenses were removed and grown for 72 hours in test tubes. The test tubes contained either no or 100 micromoles of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE). 4-HNE was used to artificially produce cataracts through a process called lipid peroxidation. As expected, 4-HNE caused clouding of the lenses. The lenses from curcumin fed rats were much more resistant to 4-HNE-induced clouding than were lenses from rats fed oil alone. The lenses from the curcumin fed rats contained significantly more glutathione S-transferase isozyme rGST8-8. By increasing this enzyme curcumin may have reduced the amount of 4-HNE, thereby reducing the cataracts. These studies suggest that curcumin protects against cataracts caused by lipid peroxidation.
Curcumin protects against 4-hydroxy-2-trans-nonena…[Am J Clin Nutr. 1996]
Curcumin blocks the action of HIV-1 (AIDS) enzyme
Saturday, August 16th, 2008Curcumin is the most active part of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), a widely used spice (curry). Curcumin exhibits a variety of drug effects against tumors, inflammation and infections. It is now being tested for treating AIDS in human patients. This study looked at how curcumin affected the enzyme, integrase, of the virus, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) that causes AIDS. Integrase places HIV-1 DNA into the host chromosomal. This step is needed for the virus to multiply. Curcumin blocked the connection of a piece of viral DNA (40 micro Meters in length) to the human chromosome. When the integrase enzyme was shortened to only the amino acids number 50 to 212 curcumin still stopped the enzyme action. This means that curcumin interacts with the parts of the enzyme called the catalytic core. Two chemical that have shapes and chemistry similar to curcumin, methyl cinnamate and chlorogenic acid, did not block integrase. These results suggest how curcumin works against HIV-1; by inhibiting integrase. HIV-1 integrase is an important target for new drugs against AIDS. So Curcumin could be one the first drugs that block this enzyme, which is a new way of treating AIDS.
Inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 …[Biochem Pharmacol. 1995]
Dietary curcumin of rats effects chemically induced colon cancer and arachidonic acid metabolism
Saturday, August 16th, 2008Past studies show that the metabolism (processing) of arachidonic acid (AA) is important in colon (large intestine) cancer. Several enzymes act on AA to produce important signaling molecules such as prostaglandins. These enzymes include tumor phospholipase A2, phospholipase C gamma 1, lipoxygenase, and cyclooxygenase. These scientists looked at the effect of curcumin in the diet on colon cancer in male F344 rats. They tested whether curcumin changed AA metabolism. They intentionally started colon cancer with azoxymethane. Azoxymethane (AOM) is a substance used in cancer research to cause colon tumors in animals. Rats were fed diets of either no curcumin or 2000 parts per million at five weeks of age. This diet was continued for 54 weeks. At seven week of age animals were injected under the skin with AOM once weekly for two weeks. Curcumin resulted in less frequent colon adenocarcinomas (tumors) and fewer invasive, noninvasive, and total adenocarcinomas. Compared with those not given curcumin, those given curcumin had 57% smaller tumor volume. The rats fed curcumin had reduced activity of four AA metabolism enzymes and reduced AA products in their colons and tumors. The steps through which curcumin prevents these chemically caused colon tumors probably includes the metabolism of arachidonic acid.
Chemoprevention of colon carcinogenesis by dietary…[Cancer Res. 1995]
Natural plant products prevent mammary tumors caused by virus in mice and caused by carcinogen in rats
Saturday, August 16th, 2008Four natural plant products; turmeric, beta-carotene, catechin, and betel leaf extract were tested for their activity against tumors in two animal models of cancer. The first model was mammary (breast) tumor expressing C3H (Jax) mice. These mice had mammary tumor virus from birth. Researchers gave virgin female C3H mice turmeric in their diet and beta-carotene, catechin, and betel leaf extract in their drinking water. This resulted in less frequent tumors and smaller tumor size. Giving 5% turmeric in the diet from 2 months of age stopped activity of the enzyme, mammary tumor virus-related reverse transcriptase, and early tumor-like changes in the mammary glands. Also, feeding turmeric from 6 months of age resulted in a 100% inhibition of mammary tumors. The second animal model was Wistar rats treated with the cancer-producing chemical 7-12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA). In this model giving the four plant products resulted in less frequent tumors and smaller tumor size. It also delayed the start of mammary tumors.
Chemoprevention of mammary tumor virus-induced an.d..[Breast Cancer Res Treat. 1994]
Curcumin in the diet inhibits precancerous lesions in the colon of rats
Saturday, August 16th, 2008These scientists looked at the effect of curcumin, the active component of tumeric, on colon (large intestine) cancer of male F344 rats. Azoxymethane is a substance used in cancer research to cause colon tumors in animals. In the this study azoxymethane (AOM) was used to stimulate the cancer pathways, including the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) and tyrosine protein kinase (TPK). It also increased the arachidonic acid cascade (another cancer pathway) and produced aberrant crypt foci in the colon. These foci are an early change in the colon leading to cancer. Group of rats were fed diets containing either no curcumin or 2000 parts per million at five weeks of age. Two weeks later all animals were injected under the skin with AOM once weekly for two weeks. Curcumin significantly decreased the levels of ODC and TPK activity, and the formation of numerous arachidonic acid cascade products in the liver and colon. These products included 5(S)-, 8(S)-, 12(S)- and 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, thromboxane and prostaglandins. Also, dietary curcumin reduced the formation of these products in the test tube, in liver and colon cells taken from the treated rats. A greater dose of curcumin reduced the products more. Aberrant crypt foci caused by AOM were significantly less in the animals fed curcumin. These findings show that curcumin inhibits precancerous lesions and pathways caused by AOM in the colon of rats.
Inhibition by dietary curcumin of azoxymethane-ind…[Carcinogenesis. 1993]
Tumeric reduces mutagens in smokers
Saturday, August 16th, 2008Tumeric, a yellow spice used in Indian foods, contains a chemical, Curcumin. Curcumin is known to act as an anti-oxidant, anti-mutagen and anti-carcinogen in experimental animals. Anti-oxidants are chemicals that reduce free radicals. Because free radicals cause chain reactions that damage cells, anti-oxidants are thought to help in a number of illnesses. Anti-carcinogens reduce the impact of carcinogens in the start or growth of cancer. Anti-mutagens reduce or inhibit mutagens. Mutagens increased the number of mutations, that is, mistakes in the copying of genetic information, usually DNA. Since mutations can lead to cancer, mutagens can cause cancer. These scientists tested whether turmeric reduced mutagens in 16 long term smokers. Tumeric was giving for 30 days, 1.5 grams per day. After this dose the amount of mutagens in the urine of the smokers was significantly less. In comparison in six untreated non-smokers, there was no change in the amount of mutagens in their urine after 30 days. The scientists did blood tests to see if tumeric had any liver, diabetic, kidney or lipid side effects. Turmeric had no significant effect on the blood tests; serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, blood glucose, creatinine and lipid profile. These findings imply that dietary turmeric is an effective anti-mutagen and it may be useful in prevention of cancer.
Effect of turmeric on urinary mutagens in smokers. [Mutagenesis. 1992]
Stomach and skin tumors in mice treated with tumeric
Saturday, August 16th, 2008The scientists tested whether tumeric in the diet could decrease the growth of tumors in Swiss mice. They looked at two types of tumors intentionally produced by cancer causing chemicals benzo[a]pyrene-(BP) and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA). BP caused cancer in the stomach. DMBA caused skin cancer. Turmeric (2% or 5%) in the diet significantly reduced the growth of the stomach tumors caused by BP. The reduced tumor growth was more for the higher dose and for longer periods of treatment. A diet of 2% turmeric diet significantly stopped skin tumors caused DMBA. Then the scientist looked at how tumeric produced its anticancer effect. In female Swiss mice they tested turmeric’s effect on established cancer pathways. These included the hepatic cytochrome b5, cytochrome P-450, glutathione, and glutathione S-transferase. The 5% turmeric diet for seven days in a row decreased the hepatic cytochrome b5 and cytochrome P-450 levels by 38%. Glutathione content was increased by 12%. Glutathione S-transferase activity was increased by 32% in the liver. These results document a protective effect of turmeric on stomach cancer caused by BP and skin tumors caused by DMBA in mice.
Chemopreventive effect of turmeric against stomach…[Nutr Cancer. 1992]
A pilot study of Neem and Tumeric for the treatment of scabies
Saturday, August 16th, 2008In India traditional forms of medicine, called Ayurvedha and Sidha employ various materials of plant origin as medicines. The medicinal properties of these materials are time tested and have been used for centuries in ayurvedic medicines to cure illness and/or help maintain health. Components of two plants, Azadirachta indica ADR (Neem) and Curcuma longa (Turmeric) has been used for healing chronic ulcers and scabies. Scabies is a skin illness that is very itchy, contagious and caused by a tiny mite. In this study Neem and Turmeric were prepared as a paste. This paste was tested as a treatment for scabies in 814 persons. Within 3 to 15 days of treatment 97% of cases were cured. The authors found this to be a very cheap, easily available, effective and acceptable way of treating scabies for the villagers in the developing countries. They did not fine any serious or mild side effects so far. However, further research is needed.
The use and efficacy of Azadirachta indica ADR (’N…[Trop Geogr Med. 1992]
Action of Turmeric – A Review of the Early Research
Saturday, August 16th, 2008The studies that were reviewed found that extracts of Curcuma longa injected into standard animal models reduced inflammation. An extract is a way of purifying and concentrating the active part of the drug. Curcumin and the volatile oil are at least in part responsible for this action. Curcumin is the chemical which is the most potent part of this remedy. The benefit of curcumin for peptic ulcers is unproven because of varying results. Protection against ulcers caused by histamine is in dispute. Whether curcumin reduces acid and stomach secretions has not been tested. Curcumin reduced muscle contractions in the test tube. In animals these extracts protected the liver and increased bile secretion. Therefore Curcuma longa has been advocated for use in liver disorders. But so far there is no proof treating liver disease in humans. It appears that when given by mouth, curcumin is far less active than when it is injected into the abdomen (intra-peritoneal). When given by mouth only tiny amounts of curcumin were found in the blood. Also most of the curcumin was excreted in the stool. So it was concluded that curcumin is absorbed poorly by the gastrointestinal tract. The authors question whether effects on the whole body are really possible after curcumin is given by mouth, unless they require only minute amount of curcumin. Since curcumin stays in the intestine, it is still possible that when given by mouth it acts directly on the mucosa of the stomach or intestine, without being absorbed.