A study has found that curcumin suppresses a cell signaling pathway that drives the growth of cancer
Washington
A new study has found that curcumin, the main component in the spice turmeric used in curry, kicks off ca
ncer- killing mechanism in human saliva.
Researchers at the University of California, led by Marilene Wang, have carried out the study and found that curcumin suppresses a cell signaling pathway that drives the growth of head and neck cancer. The inhibition of the cell signalling pathway also correlated with reduced expression of a number of pro- inflammatory cytokines, or signalling molecules, in the saliva that promote cancer growth, said Dr Wang. alt39 This study shows that curcumin can work in the mouths of patients with head and neck malignancies and reduce activities that promote cancer growth. alt39 And it not only affected the cancer by inhibiting a critical cell signalling pathway, it also affected the saliva itself by reducing pro- inflammatory cytokines within the saliva,alt39 she said. In the study, 21 patients with head and neck cancers gave samples of their saliva before and after chewing two curcumin tablets totalling 1,000 mg.
Eating the curcumin reduced the level of cancer enhancing cytokines.
An independent lab in Maryland was sent blind samples and confirmed the results – the pro- inflammatory cytokines in the saliva that help feed the cancer were reduced in the patients that had chewed the curcumin and the cell signalling pathway driving cancer growth was inhibited, Dr Wang said.
alt39 The curcumin had a significant inhibitory effect, blocking two different drivers of head and neck cancer growth. We believe curcumin could be combined with other treatments like chemotherapy and radiation to treat head and neck cancer.
