Curcumin in Turmeric can fight against cancers

Curcumin is the key ingredient present in turmeric. According to the recent study, it was found that curcumin is the anti-oxidant that has quelling effect on the activity of Human pappillomavirus (HPV).

The Indian-origin scientist, Alok Mishra of the Emory University, Atlanta, US, explained that turmeric has established antiviral and anti-cancer properties, and according to his findings it is good for oral health too.

Dr Mishra’s research group first noted the effect of curcumin on HPV and cervical cancer cells in 2005. The antioxidant slowed the expression of HPV, suggesting that curcumin could control the extent of HPV infection. “Since HPV-related oral cancer cases are on the rise, we tested the same hypothesis on oral cancer,” he said.

The new findings suggests that curcumin turns down the expression of HPV in infected oral cancer cells by down regulating the levels of cellular transcription factors AP-1 and NF-kB. The research has been published in the journal ecancermedicalscience.

So, turmeric proves its common name as ‘queen of spices’ with its wonderful therapeutic benefits.

By Lizitha