Turmeric (Curcumin) and Cancer
In this article
What are turmeric and curcumin?
Curcuminis a yellow-orange substance from turmeric roots and a main component of curry, especially common in Asian cooking. Important in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine for millennia, it has attracted scientific interest for decades, particularly in cancer. Laboratory studies found encouraging anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, but clinical confirmation is lacking and human effects remain unclear. Low side effects, cost and availability, plus laboratory results, justify further study. However, insufficient reliable clinical evidence and potential drug interactions make avoiding medical use the best current approach.
What is turmeric’s history?
Indian saffron is another name for turmeric , a perennial herb of the ginger family. Although it contains over 300 active components, its yellow-orange root pigment is the main biologically active component underlying claimed medicinal properties. Named curcumin approximately 200 years ago, it is a main curry ingredient in Asian countries and a food coloring coded E100.
Curcumin has over 2500 years of Asian history, particularly in traditional Indian medicine, used for wounds, acne, burns, skin diseases, eye infections, sinusitis, rheumatism, depression, stress and indigestion. The first scientific treatment study appeared in 1937; promising antibacterial results in 1949 accelerated research.
Studies of intermediary molecules, enzymes and factors showed antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immune-regulating, kidney/liver-protective and glucose-lowering effects. Its anti-inflammatory activity and inflammation’s cancer role suggested prevention and treatment potential. Dr. Kuttan’s laboratory anticancer findings in 1985 directed research toward cancer, recently particularly prevention. Low side effects, cost and availability suggest an ideal preventive profile, but poor intestinal absorption, high interaction potential and inadequate effectiveness evidence are obstacles.
What are laboratory findings on cancer?
Many laboratory studies found treatment and prevention properties and investigated antiproliferative effects in tumor cells. Curcumin inhibited uterine cancer cell proliferation; mouse studies found significant inhibition in prostate cancer cells. In another, mice received curcumin before injection of an esophageal carcinogen; proliferation markers were significantly lower in curcumin-fed mice.
In a study investigating curcumin’s ability to prevent cancer spread, it was observed to inhibit spread in prostate cancer cells. Another study likewise found that curcumin had a spread-inhibiting effect in breast cancer.
Some evaluated combination with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Studies in 2013 and 2014 increased colorectal cell sensitivity to 5-Fluorouracil. Another in 2014 increased cisplatin effectiveness in head and neck cell lines; another reported this in ovarian cancer. A further study reported increased lymphoma radiosensitivity.
Prevention is among the most researched anticancer effects. One study reported suppression of oral cancer development; a mouse study suggested colorectal protection by preventing intestinal polyps.
What are clinical findings on cancer?
Few clinical studies address prevention or treatment, mostly preliminary with small case numbers. In a larger study, preoperative curcumin in 126 colorectal patients reduced weight loss and improved general health. In 199 prostate patients followed after surgery, a mixture of green tea, pomegranate, broccoli and curcumin reduced PSA rise during 6 months by 63.8%.
Preliminary studies found some positive effects on radiation symptoms. In 50 head and neck patients, sandalwood oil/curcumin cream prevented radiation dermatitis. In 30 breast cancer patients, curcumin reduced dermatitis severity and peeling. In 62 patients with cancer lesions in skin, genital region, breast or mouth, it relieved complaints.
A 2008 study in 25 advanced pancreatic patients found disease stable over 18 months in one, and tumor shrinkage of 73% in another, but no positive responses in others. In another study, curcumin with gemcitabine in 17 advanced pancreatic patients gave no benefit and worsened complaints in 5.
What are possible side effects and risks?
The FDAdescribed curcumin as “generally safe.” No serious effects directly linked to use are reported, but strong interaction evidence exists, particularly with chemotherapy and other drugs. Studies also report effects on drug-metabolizing enzymes; a laboratory study suggested reduced chemotherapy effectiveness.
What should be done?
Animal and laboratory findings suggest anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Such studies, distant from human physiology, do not carry clinical studies’ value. Human medical-use studies are few, effects unclear, and reliable evidence for any health condition difficult to claim. No use for any condition is approved. Although no serious effects are reported for curcumin products, interaction data exist, particularly with chemotherapy. Avoiding medical use currently is advisable.
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