About Curcumin

Turmeric (Curcuma longa), a member of the ginger family, is a traditional Indian curry spice. It is also used as a yellow food coloring and has been used in traditional medicine in India and Ancient Egypt for at least 6000 years. In approximately the past 50 years, it has been subjected to numerous trials and studies and its use has been validated and clarified by modern science. Curcumin is the principal curcuminoid of the turmeric. Turmeric’s active ingredient curcumin has an earthy, bitter, peppery flavor and has a mustardy smell. Curcumin has been used for thousands of years as a safe anti-inflamatory in a variety of ailments as part of Indian traditional medicine. Curcumin is a water soluble orange-yellow coloured powder. Curcumin is one of three curcuminoids of turmeric. Turmeric contains up to 3% Curcumin. Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), the main yellow bioactive component of turmeric has been shown to have a wide spectrum of biological actions. These include its antiinflammatory, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, anticoagulant, antifertility, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antiviral, antifibrotic, antivenom, antiulcer, hypotensive and hypocholesteremic activities. Curcumin have the potential for the development of modern medicine for the treatment of various diseases.

Alzheimer’s disease:

Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, might inhibit the accumulation of destructive beta amyloids in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients and also break up existing plaques. Curcumin as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and lipophilic action improves the cognitive functions in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). By reducing the loss of protein in synapses, curcumin may also help maintain memory. Due to various effects of Curcumin, such as decreased Beta-amyloid plaques, delayed degradation of neurons, metal-chelation, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and decreased microglia formation, the overall memory in patients with AD has improved.

Curcumin & Enzymes:

Curcumin increases the activity of pancreatic lipase, amylase, trypsin and chymotrypsin. Curcumin also enhances intestinal lipase, sucrase and maltase activity. This activity of Curcumin aids in the digestion process.

Anti tumor:

Its anticancer effect is mainly mediated through induction of apoptosis. Curcuminoids are capable of both preventing free radical formation, as well as neutralizing existing free radicals, and are considered an effective bioprotectant due to this dual activity.

Anti inflammatory:

Curcumin inhibits enzymes which participate in the synthesis of inflammatory substances in the body. Curcumin prevents the synthesis of several inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Curcumin inhibits the production of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), two enzymes that are involved in promoting and maintaining inflammation in the body. Curcumin has a similar action to aspirin except that Curcumin does not cause vascular thrombosis the way aspirin does. Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties may be attributed to its ability to inhibit pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid, as well as neutrophil function during inflammatory states. Clinically, Curcumin has already been used to reduce post-operative inflammation. In various animal studies, a dose range of 100-200 mg/kg body weight exhibited good anti inflammatory activity and seemed to have negligible adverse effect on human systems.

Anti oxidant:

Several natural substances have greater antioxidant effects than conventional vitamins, including various polyphenols, flavonoids and curcumenoids. Natural substances are worth further exploration both experimentally and clinically. Curcumin is an antioxidant extract from the spice turmeric that produces a wide range of health benefits. Recently, many studies on health benefits associated with curcumin have been reported. In the present study, an attempt has been made to test individual curcuminoids, such as curcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin and demethoxycurcumin, for their antioxidant activities by in vitro model systems. Water and fat-soluble extracts of turmeric and its curcumin component exhibit strong antioxidant activity, comparable to vitamins C and E. Study showed curcumin to be eight times more powerful than vitamin E in preventing lipid peroxidation. Taken in group arrangements such as C-complex, curcuminoids are three times as potent in neutralizing free-radical molecules. Curcumin has the ability to reduce oxidative stress. curcumin’s role as an antioxidant have the ability to down regulate nitric oxide formation where Nitric oxide is a key element in inflammation and may contribute to carcinogenesis. Curcumin, also known as diferuloylmethane, it is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, and may help prevent the development of a variety of conditions related to oxidative and free-radical damage, including cataracts, heart disease, and cancer. Cancer patients should be taking 2000 mg to 4000 mg a day of curcumin extract with a heavy meal. In a wide range of cancer cells, curcumin has been shown to induce cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, DNA fragmentation and block cellular signal transduction, all of which are characteristics of apoptosis.

Cardiovascular Effects of Curcumin

Curcumin lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels, decreases susceptibility of low density lipoprotein (LDL) to lipid peroxidation, and inhibits platelet aggregation. These effects have been noted even with low doses of turmeric. Curcumin decreases the severity of pathological changes and thus protects from damage caused by myocardial infarction. Curcumin keeps the heart healthy by preventing a plaque build-up in the arteries, which can lead to atherosclerosis.

Anti ischemic:

Curcumin Protects Ischemia-Reperfusion Myocardial Injury via Inhibition of Oxidation, Inflammation, and Apoptosis. curcumin has protective effects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Antiniciceptive:

Curcumin is thought to be a powerful antinociceptive (pain-relieving) agent. Antinociceptive activity of curcumin is possibly through its inhibitory action on NO and TNF-α release and point towards its potential to attenuate diabetic neuropathic pain.

Detoxifier

A natural detoxifier, curcumin helps protect the liver from the damaging effects of alcohol, toxic chemicals, and even some pharmaceutical drugs. It also stimulates the production of bile, which is needed to digest fat, and kills salmonella bacteria and protozoa that can cause diarrhea. Curcumin can bind with heavy metals such as cadmium and lead, thereby reducing the toxicity of these heavy metals.

Other effects:

Curcumin inhibits the growth of Helicobacter pylori, which causes gastric ulcers and has been linked with gastric cancers. Curcumin reduces intestinal gas formation. It’s anti inflammatory, anticancer and antioxidant roles may be clinically exploited to control rheumatism, carcinogenesis and oxidative stress-related pathogenesis. Treatment with curcumin restored physiologically-relevant levels of protein function. curcumin inhibits the growth of a variety of bacteria, parasites, and pathogenic fungi. Turmeric reduced the lesions caused by intestinal parasites, dermatophytes, pathogenic fungi, yeast plasmodium falciparum, and leishmania organisms. A topical application of curcumin extract was also effective.

Caution

Always take with meals because curcumin can cause gastric irritation and ulceration if taken on an empty stomach. Do not take curcumin if you have biliary tract obstruction.

Dosage

The suggested dose of Curcumin is 900 mg; once or twice a day means Healthy people should take one capsule, once or twice daily with meals. 3-4 capsules can be taken 2X daily with meals by people who have cancer or liver problems.

Toxicity

No toxic side effects have been linked to the use of curcumin, but people taking blood thinners should not use this herb medicinally, as it may increase the action of these medications.