Curcumin halts spread of breast cancer

Curcumin, the main ingredient of turmeric and the compound that gives curry its mustard yellow color, inhibits metastasis to the lungs of mice with breast cancer, report researchers at The University of Texax M.D. Anderson Center Cancer.

The study, published in the Oct 15 issue of the journal Clinical Cancer Research, reports that the spice appears to shut down a protein active in the spread of breast cancer to a major target for metastasis. Metastasis is the spread of disease-producing organisms or malignant cell from one to other part of the body.

Though the study results are early, researchers found that the non-toxic natural substance not only repelled progression of the disease to the lungs, but also appeared to reverse the effects of paclitaxel (Taxol TM), a commonly prescribed chemotherapy for breast cancer that may trigger spread of the disease with use over a long period of time. Because Taxol is so toxic, it activates a protein that produces an inflammatory response that induces metastasis. Curcumin suppresses this response, making it impossible for the cancer to spread. In fact, researchers found that adding curcumin to Taxol actually enhances its effect. Curcumin breaks down the dose, making the therapy less toxic and jus as powerful while delivering the same lever of efficacy. [..]

Extracted from the roots of the curcoma longa plant, curcumin is a member of the ginger family. While it is not used in conventional medicine, it is widely prescribed in Indian medicine as a potent remedy for liver disorders, rheumatism, diabetic wounds, runny nose, cough and sinusitis. In ancient Hindu medicine it was used as a treatment for sprains and swelling. Traditional Chinese medicine uses curcumin as a treatment for diseases associated with abdominal pain.

source: India Post News Service - Oct 28, 2005,  www.indiapost.com