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Clinical Studies Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant herb used for dyspepsia, abdominal pain, haemorrhage, diarrhoea, flatulence, abdominal bloating, loss of appetite, jaundice, hepatitis and liver and gallbladder complaints. It is also used for headaches, bronchitis, colds, chest infections, leprosy, fever, amenorrhea and cancer. Other uses include depression, oedema, worms, kidney inflammation and cystitis.
Turmeric seems to relieve dyspeptic symptoms. Preliminary clinical research suggests an extract of turmeric may stabilize colorectal cancer in some patients. Curcumin, a constituent of turmeric, may relieve some symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Other clinical research suggests curcumin given orally might be useful for treating chronic anterior uveitis.
Turmeric's major active constituents are curcuminoids including curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a yellow pigment. It has anti-inflammatory activity, possibly by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Turmeric also exhibits chemopreventative and growth inhibitory activity against several tumour cell lines. It seems to induce apoptosis in cancer cells and may inhibit angiogenesis.
Curcumin may also have antithrombotic effects. Other research suggests that turmeric might have antioxidant, lipid lowering and immunostimulatory effects. It also seems to have activity against some bacteria, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the protozoan Leishmania amazonensis.
May be beneficial in Indigestion, pre- and post-surgery health, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, anterior uveitis (chronic), atherosclerosis, bursitis, genital herpes, hepatitis, HIV support, low back pain and osteoarthritis.
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Published Clinical Studiesclin
Induction of apoptosis by curcumin: mediation by glutathione S-transferase P1-1 inhibition.1
Duvoix A, Morceau F, Delhalle S, Schmitz M, Schnekenburger M, Galteau MM, Dicato M, Diederich M.
Laboratoire de Recherche sur le Cancer et les Maladies du Sang, Centre Universitaire de Luxembourg, 162A Avenue de la Faiencerie, L-1511 Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
Expression of glutathione S-transferase P1-1 (GSTP1-1) is correlated to carcinogenesis and resistance of cancer cells against chemotherapeutic agents. Curcumin, a natural compound extracted from Curcuma longa, has shown strong antioxidant and anticancer properties and also the ability to regulate a wide variety of genes that require activating protein 1 and nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation. In the present study, we examined the inhibitory effect of curcumin on the expression of GSTP1-1 mRNA as well as protein, and we correlated this inhibition with the apoptotic effect of curcumin on K562 leukemia cells. Curcumin efficiently inhibited the tumour necrosis factor alpha- and phorbol ester-induced binding of AP-1 and NF-kappaB transcription factors to sites located on the GSTP1-1 gene promoter. TNFalpha-induced GSTP1-1 promoter activity was also inhibited by curcumin as shown by reporter gene assay. In parallel, curcumin induced pro-caspases 8 and 9 as well as poly ADP ribose polymerase cleavage and thus leading to apoptosis in K562 cells. Our results overall add a novel role for curcumin as this chemoprotective compound could contribute to induce apoptosis by its ability to inhibit the GSTP1-1 expression at the level of transcription.
PMID: 14555224 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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2 INHIBITION OF HUMAN TELOMERASE REVERSE TRANSCRITPASE (hHERT) AND TELOMERASE ACTIVITY BY CURCUMIN IN HUMAN MAMMARY EPITHELIAL AND BREAST CARCINOMA CELL LINES.
Ramachandran C, Fonseca HB, Jhabvala P, Melnick SJ, Escalon E.
Telomeres are the distal ends of chromosomes composed of tandem repeats of the sequence TTAGGG. Several lines of evidence have indicated that activation of telomerase enzyme and telomere stabilization are important necessary steps in tumorogenesis (1,2). Telomerase activity is usually repressed in somatic cells, but is reactivated in immortal cells and human cancers. Human telomerase has two components, an RNA (hTER) which serves as template for the simple sequence and the catalytic subunit that acts as reverse transcriptase (hTERT). In most cases hTERT has been found to be the limiting factor for telomerase activity (3). Inhibition of hTERT results in telomere loss and limits the growth of tumor cells. Furthermore, these cells undergo apoptosis when their telomeres reach a critically short length, which usually occurs after several generations. Telomerase has been frequently described as an ideal cancer target because it is activated in most cancer cells (2,4). Curcumin (diferuloyl methane) the major yellow-colored dietary pigment from the rhizomes of turmeric ( Curcuma longa L.) has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-proliferative and anti-oxidant properties. Curcumin is a potent inhibitor of mutagenesis and chemically induced carcinogenesis in animal tumor models (5,6). In a recent study, we reported that curcumin can induce a high percentage of apoptosis in breast carcinoma cells, but the same concentration of curcumin caused an insignificant level of apoptosis in human mammary epithelial cells. Curcumin down-regulates Ki67, PCNA and mutant p53 mRNAs in breast cancer cells, these properties may underlie chemopreventive action (6). In this investigation, we analyzed the mechanism underlying the inhibition of telomerase activity by curcumin and the genes associated with the telomere complex in breast carcinoma cell lines.
PMID: 14532610 [PubMed - in process]
3 Oral administration of a turmeric extract inhibits erythrocyte and liver microsome membrane oxidation in rabbits fed with an atherogenic diet.
Mesa MD, Aguilera CM, Ramirez-Tortosa CL, Ramirez-Tortosa MC, Quiles JL, Baro L, Martinez de Victoria E, Gil A.
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Granada, Spain.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of an oral supplementation with a Curcuma longa ethanol and aqueous extract on the susceptibility to oxidation of cellular and subcellular membranes affected in the atherosclerotic process, such as erythrocyte membranes and liver microsomes, in rabbits fed with a high-fat diet. METHODS: Twenty-four male rabbits were randomly assigned to one of two groups: group T was treated with a turmeric hydroalcoholic extract (1.66 mg/kg of body weight) dissolved in a hydroalcoholic mixture vehicle (7:2), and group C (control): received a curcuma-free hydroalcoholic solution (7:2). All rabbits had access ad libitum to 150 g/d of an experimental diet rich in cholesterol and lard to provoke an atherosclerotic process. Erythrocyte membranes and liver microsomes were isolated, and the levels of hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances were measured after oxidation induction. RESULTS: The oxidation of erythrocyte membranes in group T was significantly lower than that in group C, mainly by 30 d (P < 0.05). Levels of hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in liver microsomes also were significantly lower in group T than in group C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that oral administration of a nutritional dose of C. longa extracts reduces the susceptibility to oxidation of erythrocyte and liver microsome membranes in vitro and may contribute to the prevention of effects caused by a diet high in fat and cholesterol in blood and liver during the development of atherosclerosis.
PMID: 12921893 [PubMed - in process]
4 Screening pharmaceutical preparations containing extracts of turmeric rhizome, artichoke leaf, devil's claw root and garlic or salmon oil for antioxidant capacity.
Betancor-Fernandez A, Perez-Galvez A, Sies H, Stahl W.
Institut fur Biochemie und Molekularbiologie I, Heinrich-Heine-Universitat Dusseldorf, Postfach 101007, D-40001 Dusseldorf, Germany.
Pharmaceutical preparations derived from natural sources such as vegetables often contain compounds that contribute to the antioxidant defence system and apparently play a role in the protection against degenerative diseases. In the present study, commercial preparations containing extracts of turmeric, artichoke, devil's claw and garlic or salmon oil were investigated. The products were divided into fractions of different polarity, and their antioxidant activity was determined using the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay. This test is based on the efficacy of the test material to scavenge 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) derived radicals. Total phenols were determined in all fractions as well as specific carotenoids in the most lipophilic fraction to assess their contribution to the antioxidant activity. For comparison, the radical scavenging effect of selected constituents of the extracts such as curcumin, luteolin, kaempferol, chlorogenic acid, harpagoside, beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol was investigated and compared with that of Trolox. Curcumin, luteolin, kaempferol, chlorogenic acid and beta-carotene showed an antioxidant activity superior to Trolox in the TEAC assay; harpagoside was barely active. All fractions of the turmeric extract preparation exhibited pronounced antioxidant activity, which was assigned to the presence of curcumin and other polyphenols. The antioxidant activity corresponding to the artichoke leaf extract was higher in the aqueous fractions than in the lipophilic fractions. Similarly, devil's claw extract was particularly rich in water-soluble antioxidants. Harpagoside, a major compound in devil's claw, did not contribute significantly to its antioxidant activity. The antioxidant capacity of the garlic preparation was poor in the TEAC assay. That of salmon oil was mainly attributed to vitamin E, which is added to the product for stabilization. In all test preparations, the antioxidant activity was significantly correlated with the content of total phenolic compounds.
PMID: 12906755 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
5 Effects of baicalein, berberine, curcumin and hesperidin on mucin release from airway goblet cells.
Lee CJ, Lee JH, Seok JH, Hur GM, Park YC, Seol IC, Kim YH.
Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Korea. LCJ123@cnu.ac.kr
Baicalein, berberine, curcumin and hesperidin are the major components derived from Scutellaria baicalensis, Coptis japonica, Curcuma longa and Poncirus trifoliata, respectively. These plants have been used for the treatment of diverse chronic inflammatory diseases including respiratory disease in oriental medicine and their respective major components were reported to have various biological effects including anti-inflammatory activity. In the present study, we investigated whether these four natural products affect mucin release from airway goblet cells and compared the possible activities of these agents with the inhibitory action on mucin release by PLL and the stimulatory action by ATP. Confluent primary hamster tracheal surface epithelial (HTSE) cells were metabolically radiolabeled using 3H-glucosamine for 24 h and chased for 30 min in the presence of varying concentrations of each agent to assess the effects on 3H-mucin release. The results were as follows: (i) baicalein did not affect mucin release significantly; (ii) berberine, curcumin and hesperidin increased mucin release at the highest concentration (10 - 4 M); (iii) PLL inhibited and ATP increased mucin release. We conclude that berberine, curcumin and hesperidin can increase mucin release by directly acting on airway mucin-secreting cells and suggest that these agents be further studied for possible use as mild expectorants during the treatment of chronic airway diseases. Abbreviations. PLL:poly- L-lysine ATP:adenosine triphosphate HTSE:hamster tracheal surface epithelial DMSO:dimethylsulfoxide IL-12:interleukin-12 PBS:phosphate-buffered saline
PMID: 12865970 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Curcumin attenuates allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in sensitized guinea pigs.6
Ram A, Das M, Ghosh B.
Molecular Immunology and Immunogenetics Laboratory, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi University Campus, India.
Anti-asthmatic property of curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a natural product from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, has been tested in a guinea pig model of airway hyperresponsiveness. We sensitized guinea pigs with ovalbumin (OVA) to develop certain characteristic features of asthma: allergen induced airway constriction and airway hyperreactivity to histamine. Guinea pigs were treated with curcumin during sensitization (to examine its preventive effect) or after developing impaired airways features (to examine its therapeutic effect). Status of airway constriction and airway hyperreactivity were determined by measuring specific airway conductance (SGaw) using a non-invasive technique, constant-volume body plethysmography. Curcumin (20 mg/kg body weight) treatment significantly inhibits OVA-induced airway constriction (p<0.0399) and airway hyperreactivity (p<0.0043). The results demonstrate that curcumin is effective in improving the impaired airways features in the OVA-sensitized guinea pigs.
PMID: 12843631 [PubMed - in process]
7 Curcumin-induced inhibition of cellular reactive oxygen species generation: novel therapeutic implications.
Balasubramanyam M, Koteswari AA, Kumar RS, Monickaraj SF, Maheswari JU, Mohan V.
Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, 4 Conran Smith Road, Gopalapuram, Chennai 600 086, India. drbalu@mdrf.org
There is evidence for increased levels of circulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) in diabetics, as indirectly inferred by the findings of increased lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant status. Direct measurements of intracellular generation of ROS using fluorescent dyes also demonstrate an association of oxidative stress with diabetes. Although phenolic compounds attenuate oxidative stress-related tissue damage, there are concerns over toxicity of synthetic phenolic antioxidants and this has considerably stimulated interest in investigating the role of natural phenolics in medicinal applications. Curcumin (the primary active principle in turmeric, Curcuma longa Linn.) has been claimed to represent a potential antioxidant and antiinflammatory agent with phytonutrient and bioprotective properties. However there are lack of molecular studies to demonstrate its cellular action and potential molecular targets. In this study the antioxidant effect of curcumin as a function of changes in cellular ROS generation was tested. Our results clearly demonstrate that curcumin abolished both phorbol-12 myristate-13 acetate (PMA) and thapsigargin-induced ROS generation in cells from control and diabetic subjects. The pattern of these ROS inhibitory effects as a function of dose-dependency suggests that curcumin mechanistically interferes with protein kinase C (PKC) and calcium regulation. Simultaneous measurements of ROS and Ca2+ influx suggest that a rise in cytosolic Ca2+ may be a trigger for increased ROS generation. We suggest that the antioxidant and antiangeogenic actions of curcumin, as a mechanism of inhibition of Ca2+ entry and PKC activity, should be further exploited to develop suitable and novel drugs for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy and other diabetic complications.
PMID: 14660871 [PubMed - in process]