Researchers reveal how the common curry spice turmeric kills colon cancer cells

02/27/2019 / By Ellaine Castillo

Turmeric packs a powerful punch against cancer. This spice, which is commonly used to make curry, is known not just for its distinct taste but also for its various pharmacological activities. Most of its beneficial effects can be attributed to a compound called curcumin. Recently, researchers from the Sri Ramaswamy Memorial Institute of Science and Technology showed that this compound works against colon cancer by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.

Colon cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths. It is very difficult to treat and diagnose since, in most cases, symptoms only appear in the later stages of the disease. Some symptoms may include diarrhea, loose stools, rectal bleeding, painful bowel movements, unexplained weight loss, and irritable bowel syndrome. Although there are conventional treatments for colon cancer like chemotherapy and radiation, these are associated with many side effects. These include hair loss, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in appetite, and weight loss. These highlight the need for treatments that are not just effective but are also safe and accessible.

Curcumin is a polyphenol compound that has been the focus of many scientific studies due to its health benefits. It has the ability to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, improve brain function, alleviate symptoms of depression, and delay aging. It also has potent antiproliferative and anticancer effects. Previous reports have shown that upon inducing cell death and inhibiting cell proliferation in colon cancer, curcumin generates reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the role that ROS plays in these processes is yet to be revealed.

In this study, published in the journal Nutrition Research, the researchers hypothesized that curcumin-induced ROS works against colon cancer by promoting apoptosis and inhibiting the cell cycle. They tested this through in vitro experiments involving Smd4 and p53 mutated HT-29 colon adenocarcinoma cells.

The results showed that curcumin treatment increases ROS levels in colon cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The compound also reduced cell viability and proliferation in a similar manner. Moreover, when treated with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine, the anticancer effect of curcumin was significantly reduced. This suggests that curcumin-generated ROS have an important role against colon cancer cells.

The researchers found that the ROS produced by curcumin caused DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation, and cell nuclear shrinkage. These molecules were also shown to induce apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. They also played a role in the inhibition of the cell cycle in colon cancer cells.

From these results, the researchers concluded that curcumin from turmeric can be used as a natural remedy against colon cancer. This is because of its ability to generate ROS that induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of colon cancer cells. (Related: IV injection of aqueous curcumin inhibits colon cancer growth and kills cancer cells, research reveals.)

Ways to incorporate turmeric in your diet

You can reap many health benefits from increasing your intake of turmeric. To help you on your road to better health, here are some recipes that you can make with this spice:

Turmeric tea — To make this drink, just mix in a quarter teaspoon of ground or freshly grated turmeric to boiling water. Let it simmer for 10 minutes and strain before drinking. If you’re not into its taste, try adding some honey or fresh lemon juice for flavor.
Seasoned roasted veggies — Season fresh vegetables like potatoes, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts with olive oil, turmeric, and other seasonings. Roast this for a few minutes and enjoy.
Golden milk — Golden milk comes from ancient Ayurvedic practitioners. You can easily make it by mixing turmeric paste, which is made from water and ground turmeric, with warm milk. Add half a teaspoon of coconut oil to your drink and you’re good to go.

Sources include:

Submit a correction >>

Tagged Under: anticancer, apoptosis, Cancer Cells, cell cycle arrest, cell death, colon cancer, curcumin, food cures, natural cures, natural remedies, Natural Treatments, polyphenol, reactive oxygen species, turmeric

This article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author