Guest guest Posted October 9, 2002 Report Share Posted October 9, 2002 Curry Spice May Inhibit Tumor Growth Tue Oct 8,10:44 AM ET NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A compound found in the curry spice turmeric may suppress production of a protein that spurs tumor growth in the body, researchers report. According to their study, curcumin inhibited the production of interleukin-8 (IL-8), a protein that attracts white blood cells to a particular site and leads to inflammation. The compound also reduced the activity of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kappaB), a molecule that helps regulate the gene that produces IL-8. While tumor cells are known to secrete high levels of inflammation-promoting proteins like IL-8, the exact role of these proteins in cancer is unclear. Previous research suggests that the compounds may spur the proliferation of tumor cells and suppress the immune system. Regardless of the mechanism, controlling levels of these compounds " may have an important role in therapy for patients with malignant disease, " Dr. Hideki Hidaka from Kumamoto University in Kumamoto, Japan and colleagues conclude. The researchers mixed human pancreatic cancer cells with different amounts of curcumin, which is the substance that gives turmeric its yellow color. The production of IL-8 and the activity of NF-kappaB fell with increasing doses of curcumin. If the spice component does indeed reduce IL-8 activities as the findings suggest, " curcumin is capable of working as a potent agent that reduces tumor promotion, " the researchers conclude. The study, in a recent issue of the journal Cancer, is not the first to link curcumin, a compound thought to be a potent anti-inflammatory agent, with certain health benefits. Studies also suggest that the compound might help heal wounds and fight Alzheimer's disease (news - web sites) and multiple sclerosis. > " ~ P_T ~ " <patchouli_troll > > > Food news >Wed, 09 Oct 2002 04:32:31 -0000 > >Indian Curry Found Useful During Cancer Treatments > >ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Wireless Flash) -- A new theory is currying favor with >cancer researchers: A common spice used in curries may protect the skin >during radiation treatments. > >Scientists at the University of Rochester in New York have just released a >study which concludes a substance in tumeric called " curcumin " seems to >protect patients' skin from the burns and blisters that often come with >radiation therapy. > >The researchers tested the effectiveness of the curry by giving mice >various >doses of curcumin during radiation treatments. According to head researcher >Ivan Ding, " There were far fewer blisters or burns on the mice who had been >given curcumin. " > >Ding and his fellow cancer experts say further study is needed, but cancer >patients may want to consider eating curries while undergoing radiation. > " If, at first, you do succeed, try to hide your astonishment. " _______________ Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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