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These scientists reviewed studies about the effect of curcumin, the major yellow substance in turmeric, on tumors in mouse skin. They focused on several paths by which tumors start and grow. One path is called tumor promotion; this is when a substance helps an existing tumor to grow. Other steps involve chemicals and enzymes which increase skin inflammation. Spreading curcumin to mouse skin strongly inhibits tumor promotion caused by the chemical, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). The related food compounds chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and ferulic acid have shapes that are similar to curcumins’. However they reduce this tumor promotion less than curcumin. Curcumin is a strong inhibitor of the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase activity and inflammation in mouse skin that is started by TPA. In comparison the three related are only weakly active or inactive. Curcumin is a strong inhibitor of inflammation in the skin of whole live mice caused by the chemical arachidonic acid. It is also strongly inhibits two enzymes, epidermal lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase in the test tube. Increased activity of these enzymes is thought to lead to mouse skin tumors. Chlorogenic acid weakly reduced the activity of the enzyme, epidermal lipoxygenase and ear inflammation caused by TPA. It inhibits these tumor paths more than caffeic acid and ferulic acid. Curcumin has two benzene rings on each end with a free hydroxyl group (one oxygen then one hydrogen). These free hydroxyl groups are not required curcumin to inhibit ornithine decarboxylase activity and inflammation caused by TPA

Inhibitory effect of curcumin and some related die…[Adv Enzyme Regul. 1991]

Two forms of the Indian yellow spice tumeric were studied to see if they could treat skin cancer. One form was an extract in alcohol (ethanol). An extract is a way of concentrating the active part of a drug, and separating it from the inactive components. It contains many components of tumeric. The other form was an ointment of curcumin. Curcumin is a single chemical. It is the active ingredient of tumeric. Both forms of tumeric were followed by remarkable symptomatic relief in patients with skin cancer. The odor of the sores were lessened in 90% of the cases. In almost all cases itching was less after treatment. Lesions dried up in 70% of the cases. In a few of those treated, 10%, the cancer was smaller and less painful. In many patients the improvement lasted for several months. They found a harmful side effect in only one of the 62 patients.

Turmeric and curcumin as topical agents in cancer …[Tumori. 1987]