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Last Updated: Dec 27th, 2006 - 19:07:47 |
Curcumin found in the spice turmeric and a key compound in yellow curry inhibits melanoma cell growth and stimulates tumor cell death, according to a study published in the August 15, 2005 issue of Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.
Previous studies found that curcumin has antioxidant and anti-inflammation properties as well as antioxidant properties. It is known that curcumin inhibits tumor cell growth and stimulates tumor cell deaths in other tumors.
In the current study, Dr. Razelle Kurzrock at University of Texas and colleagues treated three melanoma cell lines with curcumin to see how curcumin affects the cancer cells.
The results of the study show that treatment of curcumin induces the death of cancer cells in a dose-responsive manner. Curcumin induces tumor cell death at both low doses for long periods and high doses for short periods.
It was found that curcumin suppresses two key compounds that otherwise stimulate two stimulators, NF-B and IKK, that inhibit cancer cell deaths. However, curcumin does not suppress two other pathways associated with melanoma cell proliferation, B-Raf/MEK/ERK and Akt pathways.
Further studies in animal models and human trials are planned, according to the authors.
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