Turmeric Compound Holds Promise in Colon Cancer Treatment

Plant Compounds For Colon Cancer

The blend of two plant compounds that have medicinal properties: curcumin and silymarin, holds promise in treating colon melanoma, according to a Saint Louis University study published within the June 23 issue of the Journal of Cancer.

Curcumin is the active ingredient within the spice turmeric, which is present in spicy curry dishes, and silymarin is a factor of milk thistle, which has been used to deal with liver ailments.

Curcumin and Silymarin

The researchers and their students studied a line of colon cancer cells in a laboratory model. They found out that treating the cells at first with curcumin, then with silymarin was effective in combating cancer than treating the cells with just phytochemicals, according to Uthayashanker Ezekiel, Ph.D., the study's corresponding author and associate professor of biomedical laboratory science at Saint Louis University. According to Ezekiel, The combination of phytochemicals inhibited colon cancer cells from multiplying and spreading. In addition, when the colon cancer cells were pre-exposed to curcumin and then treated with silymarin, the cells underwent a high amount of cell death.

“The combo of phytochemicals inhibited colon cancer cells from multiplying and spreading. Moreover, when the colon melanoma cells had been pre-uncovered to curcumin and then treated with silymarin, the cells underwent a excessive amount of cell loss of life,” Ezekiel mentioned. He further added, Phytochemicals may offer alternate therapeutic approaches to cancer treatments and avoid toxicity problems and side effects that chemotherapy can cause.

Ezekiel noted that the study is a preliminary cell study, with more research ahead before scientists understand if the compounds are an amazing treatment for men and women who have had colon cancer. He noted the promise in making use of these phytochemicals to avoid colon cancer, which probably is caused by using lifestyle reasons, including diet.

Scientists would further have to gain knowledge on how curcumin and silymarin can affect the actions of molecules, akin to genetic transcription and expression that may cause cells to change. Then these compounds would be studied in an animal model, then later on in humans. According to Ezekiel, Concentrations of curcumin and silymarin that are too high could be harmful to people. We still have much to learn, and for now, it’s so much safer to add a little spice to your diet and get your curcumin from foods that contain turmeric, such as curry, rather than taking high doses of the compound.”

If you want to know more on how to take care of your health the best way possible, feel free to read our other articles on this site.

Reference: Science Daily

Written By: Dr. Marie Gabrielle Laguna Bedia