Turmeric:
Powerful Cancer-fighting Herb
that drug companies are rushing to imitate.
An ever-growing body of scientific evidence demonstrates that turmeric --- the bright yellow spice herb used in East Indian cooking --- has potent anti-cancer properties. According to Bharat Aggarwal, chief of cytokine research at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, the research to date shows that turmeric's anti-cancer "promise is enormous." This evidence and opinion was reported at the recent Society for Integrative Oncology conference and is also posted on the American Cancer Society's website (www.cancer.org).
Turmeric, and it's primary active ingredient curcumin, is the main ingredient in curry and a member of the ginger family. In addition to it's anti-cancer properties, turmeric is a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and liver-protecting herb. Expect to see and read a lot more about this herb in the future, although Wellness Club members have known about the benefits of turmeric for over a decade!
You can learn more about turmeric and find one of the most potent
turmeric supplements available on The Wellness Club website by visiting Turmeric: Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory and Anti-Cancer Herb.
References
1.) Curcumin inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin-mediated signaling pathways in cancer cells. Beevers,Li,Liu,Huang. Int J Cancer. 2006 Mar 20
2.) Antitumor action of curcumin in human papillomavirus associated cells involves downregulation of viral oncogenes, prevention of NFkB and AP-1 translocation, and modulation of apoptosis. Divya CS, Pillai MR. Mol Carcinog. 2006 May;45(5):320-32.
3.) Curcumin mediates ceramide generation via the de novo pathway in colon cancer cells. Moussavi M, Assi K, Gomez-Munoz A, Salh B. Carcinogenesis. 2006 Feb 25; [Epub ahead of print]
4.) Overexpression of p65/RelA potentiates curcumin-induced apoptosis in HCT116 human colon cancer cells. Collett GP, Campbell FC. Carcinogenesis. 2006 Feb 23; [Epub ahead of print]
5.) Induction of G2/M arrest and inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 activity by curcumin in human bladder cancer T24 cells. Park C, Kim GY, Kim GD, Choi BT, Park YM, Choi YH. Oncol Rep. 2006 May;15(5):1225-31.
6.) Molecular targets of dietary agents for prevention and therapy of cancer. Aggarwal BB, Shishodia S. Biochem Pharmacol. 2006 Feb 23; [Epub ahead of print]
7.) Inhibition of telomerase activity and induction of apoptosis by curcumin in K-562 cells. Chakraborty S, Ghosh U, Bhattacharyya NP, Bhattacharya RK, Roy M. Mutat Res. 2006 Jan 27; [Epub ahead of print]
8.) Curcumin differentially sensitizes malignant glioma cells to TRAIL/Apo2L-mediated apoptosis through activation of procaspases and release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. Gao X, Deeb D, Jiang H, Liu YB, Dulchavsky SA, Gautam SC. J Exp Ther Oncol. 2005;5(1):39-48.
9.) Multiple biological activities of curcumin: a short review. Maheshwari RK, Singh AK, Gaddipati J, Srimal RC. Life Sci. 2006 Mar 27;78(18):2081-7. Epub 2006 Jan 18.
10.) Curcumin, an atoxic antioxidant and natural NFkappaB, cyclooxygenase-2, lipooxygenase, and inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor: a shield against acute and chronic diseases. Bengmark S. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2006 Jan-Feb;30(1):45-51.
11.) Antiproliferation and apoptosis induced by curcumin in human ovarian cancer cells. Shi M, Cai Q, Yao L, Mao Y, Ming Y, Ouyang G. Cell Biol Int. 2006 Mar;30(3):221-6. Epub 2005 Dec 22.
12.) Synergistic inhibitory effects of curcumin and 5-fluorouracil on the growth of the human colon cancer cell line HT-29. Du B, Jiang L, Xia Q, Zhong L. Chemotherapy. 2006;52(1):23-8. Epub 2005 Dec 9.
13.) Curcumin induces human HT-29 colon adenocarcinoma cell apoptosis by activating p53 and regulating apoptosis-related protein expression. Song G, Mao YB, Cai QF, Yao LM, Ouyang GL, Bao SD. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2005 Dec;38(12):1791-8. Epub 2005 Nov 9.
14.) Inhibition of cellular proliferation and induction of apoptosis by curcumin in human malignant astrocytoma cell lines. Nagai S, Kurimoto M, Washiyama K, Hirashima Y, Kumanishi T, Endo S. J Neurooncol. 2005 Sep;74(2):105-11.
15.) Curcumin inhibits human colon cancer cell growth by suppressing gene expression of epidermal growth factor receptor through reducing the activity of the transcription factor Egr-1. Chen A, Xu J, Johnson AC. Oncogene. 2006 Jan 12;25(2):278-87.
