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Turmeric (Curcuma longa; C. domestica)
Turmeric is a tropical perennial of the ginger family that is native to India. Herbal preparations are derived from the plant's yellowish-orange root, which has also long been used as a dye. Turmeric is a prime component of curry powders and is used as a spice to flavor many types of food. It serves as a multipurpose herbal remedy for practitioners of Ayurveda, the traditional healing system of India, and practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine. They recommend it as a digestive aid, a wound healer, and a liver remedy. Only in recent years have herbalists elsewhere in the world begun to appreciate turmeric's therapeutic potential, as scientific studies confirm many of the traditional uses and suggest additional benefits such as protection from heart disease and cancer.

Traditional uses
Turmeric has been used for thousands of years as an anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment of sprains, cramps, bruises, and muscle pain. Topical applications have been used to promote the healing of wounds and skin conditions. In ancient times a potent household remedy was to make a poultice from turmeric mixed with slaked lime. Taken orally, turmeric is a favorite folk remedy for infections and parasites of the stomach and the intestines. Turmeric is a traditional remedy for jaundice and other liver ailments. Herbalists have also used turmeric to help treat diarrhea, fever, headaches, flatulence, bronchitis, and colds and coughs.

Modern uses
Herbalists as well as an increasing number of doctors are now aware of the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric root extracts. Turmeric may be as effective as cortisone for acute inflammation, though somewhat less so for chronic inflammation. Turmeric alleviates the pain of rheumatoid arthritis and prevents menstrual discomfort. Turmeric may also combat intestinal microbes. Its antioxidant properties may help to prevent cancer and protect the liver. Recent studies suggest turmeric can lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce the stickiness of blood platelets, thus decreasing the risk of stroke and heart attack in some people. Turmeric may also help to prevent or treat:

• loss of appetite
• bursitis
• digestive upset

• Researchers at the Center for Combat Casualty and Life Sustainment Research in Bethesda, Md., tested the effects of the turmeric compound curcumin on wound healing in rats and guinea pigs. The scientists observed faster wound closure, beneficial effects on various cells such as fibroblasts and macrophages, and greater collagen deposition.
• Curcumin has been shown to inhibit tumors of the skin and colon when it is administered in the early initiation stages of carcinogenesis. Most recently, scientists also showed that curcumin significantly suppresses the incidence of colon cancer when it is administered later, during the promotion and progression stage of carcinogenesis.
• Scientists in Bombay, India, recently demonstrated that a turmeric extract offers rats a significant protective effect against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage.
• Three curcuminoids and other compounds isolated from turmeric extract were shown to exhibit novel bioactivities, including potential as an insecticide that kills mosquitoes and as an anti-fungal agent with activity against Candida albicans.

Do scientists know how it works?
Turmeric's therapeutic components are thought to be its volatile oil and various curcuminoids, especially curcumin. The curcuminoids may reduce inflammation through effects on prostaglandins (hormone-like compounds that play various roles in the body); histamine; and cortisone production by the adrenal glands. Curcumin has also been shown to be a potent antioxidant, which may explain its potential to reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. Curcumin's ability to stimulate the secretion of bile suggests a rationale for positive effects on the liver.

Types of products
Turmeric is available in capsules, tablets, and liquid extracts. It is sometimes combined with other herbs such as chamomile. Turmeric is a common ingredient in formulas for:

• stomach and nausea, anti-inflammatory, allergy, and skin

Safety
Turmeric has been consumed as an herb and spice in India and China for thousands of years. Large amounts or long-term use may cause heartburn or other gastric disturbances. Because turmeric may reduce blood clotting, it should be used with caution by people taking anti-coagulants or suffering from coagulation conditions. Some herbalists also advise people with gallstones to avoid use of turmeric.

References

• Azuine, M.A., and S.V. Bhide, "Chemopreventive effect of turmeric against stomach and skin tumors induced by chemical carcinogens in Swiss mice,"Nutr Cancer (1992), 17(1):77-83
• Cohly, H.H., et al., "Effect of turmeric, turmerin and curcumin on H2O2-induced renal epithelial (LLC-PK1) cell injury," Free Radic Biol Med (1998), 24(1):49-54
• Deshpande, U.R., et al., "Protective effect of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats," Indian J Exp Biol (1998), 36(6):573-77
• Kawamori, T., et al., "Chemopreventive effect of curcumin, a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory agent, during the promotion/progression stages of colon cancer," Cancer Res (1999), 59(3):597-601
• Quiles, J.L., et al., "An ethanolic-aqueous extract of Curcuma longa decreases the susceptibility of liver microsomes and mitochondria t
• lipid peroxidation in atherosclerotic rabbits," Biofactors (1998), 8(1-2):51-57
• Roth, G.N., et al., "Novel bioactivities of Curcuma longa constituents," J Nat Prod (1998), 61(4):542-45
• Sidhu, G.S., et al., "Enhancement of wound healing by curcumin in animals," Wound Repair Regen (1998), 6(2):167-77
• Soni, K.B., et al., "Reversal of aflatoxin induced liver damage by turmeric and curcumin," Cancer Lett (1992), 66(2):115-21

Abstracts
Title: Effect of turmeric, turmerin and curcumin on H2O2-induced renal epithelial (LLC-PK1) cell injury
Author: Cohly HH; Taylor A; Angel MF; Salahudeen AK
Source: Free Radic Biol Med, 24(1):49-54 1998 Jan 1
Abstract: Cell injury by oxidative stress is an important mechanism for renal epithelial cell destruction. This study observed the protective effect of turmeric and its constituents on H2O2-induced injury. Turmeric consists of a water soluble turmerin and lipid soluble curcumin with potent antioxidant properties. Confluent LLC-PK1 cells were labelled with 3H-arachidonic acid at 0.1 microCi/ml over 18 h and then further labelled with 51Cr. Turmeric (100 microg/ml-0.1 microg/ml), turmerin (800 ng/ml-0.8 ng/ml), curcumin (100 microg/ml-0.1 microg/ml), vitamin E (100 microM) and 21-aminosteroid (20 microM) were added and incubated for 3 h at 37 degrees C in 24-well plate. The adherent cells were washed and incubated for 3 h with 1.5 mM H2O2 at 37 degrees C. 3H-arachidonic acid release, 51Cr release and lipid peroxidation by the thiobarbituric acid reaction was determined. Turmeric (100 microg/ml) and curcumin (100 microg/ml, 10 microg/ml) gave as much protection as did vitamin E in both chromium release assay and lipid degradation while Turmeric (100 microg/ml) and curcumin (100 microg/ml) gave comparable inhibition of lipid peroxidation. Turmerin and 21-aminosteroid showed no protection. These findings provide evidence that turmeric and curcumin provide protection against oxidative stress in a renal cell line.

Title: Chemopreventive effect of turmeric against stomach and skin tumors induced by chemical carcinogens in Swiss mice
Author: Azuine MA; Bhide SV
Source: Nutr Cancer, 17(1):77-83 1992
Abstract: The anticarcinogenic effect of dietary turmeric on benzo[a]pyrene-(BP) induced forestomach neoplasia and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin tumorigenesis in female Swiss mice was evaluated. To further elucidate the mechanism of antineoplastic action of turmeric, its effect on the hepatic cytochrome b5, cytochrome P-450, glutathione, and glutathione S-transferase activities was studied in female Swiss mice. Turmeric (2% or 5%) in the diet significantly inhibited the BP-induced forestomach tumors, and this response was dose and time dependent. The 2% turmeric diet significantly suppressed DMBA-induced skin tumors in mice. The 5% turmeric diet for seven consecutive days resulted in a 38% decrease in the hepatic cytochrome b5 and cytochrome P-450 levels. Glutathione content was increased by 12%, and the glutathione S-transferase activity was enhanced by 32% in the liver. Our results document a protective effect of turmeric on BP-induced forestomach and DMBA-induced skin tumors in mice.

Title: Reversal of aflatoxin induced liver damage by turmeric and curcumin
Author: Soni KB; Rajan A; Kuttan R
Address: Amala Cancer Research Centre, Trichur, Kerala State, India
Source: Cancer Lett, 66(2):115-21 1992 Sep 30
Abstract: The effect of certain food additives on aflatoxin production by Aspergillus parasiticus has been studied in vitro. Extracts of turmeric (Curcuma longa), garlic (Allium sativum) and asafoetida (Ferula asafoetida) inhibited the aflatoxin production considerably (more than 90%) at concentrations of 5-10 mg/ml. Similar results were also seen using butylated hydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxyanisole and ellagic acid at concentration 0.1 mM. Curcumin, the antioxidant principle from Curcuma longa did not have any effect on aflatoxin production. Turmeric and curcumin were also found to reverse the aflatoxin induced liver damage produced by feeding aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) (5 micrograms/day per 14 days) to ducklings. Fatty changes, necrosis and biliary hyperplasia produced by AFB1 were considerably reversed by these food additives.