Seattle Health Blog

Curcumin, a substance found in the spice turmeric contained in Indian curry powder and giving it its characteristic yellow-orange, killing the cancer cells of the esophagus in a laboratory study with Irish and Polish results are published in the British Journal of Cancer. Turmeric began to kill these cells in less than 24 hours.

The results of this work, led by Geraldine O’Sullivan-Coyne and Sharon McKenna of the Cork Cancer Research Centre (Ireland) with colleagues, should lead to the development of new treatments.

In addition, a laboratory study American presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, shows that in the case of cancer of the head and neck, turmeric prevents nicotine from activating a circuit that plays a role central in the transformation of normal cells into cancer cells. The researchers conclude that turmeric is a nutraceutical that has interesting chemopreventive effects against this cancer by blocking the action of the nicotine in the development of this cancer.

Turmeric is also being tested as a treatment for arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease, reports BBC.