Curry powder turmeric could provide recipe for fight against cancer
September 30th, 2010 - 2:02 pm ICT by ANILondon, Sept 30 (ANI): A spice commonly used to make curries could help target and destroy chemotherapy-resistant cancer cells, say scientists in the UK.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have been using curcumin - an extract of root turmeric, commonly used to spice up curries - to target chemo-resistant cells.
The aim is to use the extract in colorectal tumour tissue.
“Following treatment for cancer, small populations of cancer cells often remain which are responsible for disease returning,” the Daily Mail quoted lead researcher Dr Karen Brown, as saying.
“These cells appear to have different properties to the bulk of cells within a tumour, making them resistant to chemotherapy.
“Previous laboratory research has shown that curcumin, from turmeric, has not only improved the effectiveness of chemotherapy but has also reduced the number of chemo-resistant cells, which has implications in preventing the disease returning.
“We hope that our work will lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms through which curcumin targets resistant cells in tumours.
“It should also help us identify those patient populations who are most likely to benefit from curcumin treatment in the future,” Brown added. (ANI)
- Turmeric helps fight cancer - Sep 30, 2010
- Turmeric component 'opens up' resistant cancers - Apr 29, 2010
- Tumeric derivative found promising in tendinitis - Aug 11, 2011
- How ovarian cancer resists chemotherapy - Mar 03, 2011
- Turmeric 'the right spice' to fight colon cancer - Mar 03, 2011
- Turmeric-based drug being tested against Alzheimer's - Feb 15, 2012
- Intestinal stem cells offer clues to colon cancer origin and relapse - Mar 18, 2011
- New study shows evidence of stem cells' pivotal role in cancer - Dec 22, 2010
- Indian-origin scientist's finding offers hope for advanced cancer patients - Apr 06, 2011
- Magnets help fight prostate cancer - Nov 09, 2011
- Drug from Indian spice builds brain cells after stroke - Feb 10, 2011
- Drug used to treat asthma 'prevents spread of breast cancer' - Nov 04, 2010
- Turmeric lowers heart attack risk post surgery - Apr 16, 2012
- Oz scientists' defective gene discovery solves colorectal cancer mystery - Jan 17, 2011
- Colorectal cancer affecting India's fight against cancer - Feb 18, 2012
Tags: chemotherapy, colorectal, curcumin, curries, curry powder, daily mail, dr karen, karen brown, laboratory research, patient populations, researcher, resistant cancer cells, resistant cells, spice, target, tumour tissue, tumours, turmeric, uk researchers, university of leicester