Compound in the Spice Turmeric May Help Treat Colon Cancer

Compound in the Spice Turmeric May Help Treat Colon Cancer

Article
Health & Wellness
Natural Health
+2
Contributed byKrish Tangella MD, MBASep 08, 2019

Scientists at Saint Louis University have discovered that a combination of two plant compounds show a promising effect on treating colon cancer. The study on the two compounds, curcumin and silymarin, was published in the Journal of Cancer.

Curcumin can be found as an active ingredient in turmeric, a spice present in many spicy curry dishes, whereas Silymarin can be found in milk thistle and can be used to treat liver disease. Both of these phytochemicals are known for their medicinal properties.

In the laboratory, the team of researchers and students explored a line of colon cancer cells and found that initial treatment of the cells with curcumin and silymarin, respectively, was more successful in fighting cancer than those cells treated with either of these compounds alone.

The addition of curcumin and silymarin collectively stopped the colon cancer cells from spreading and multiplying. Moreover, the cancers cells that were pre-exposed to curcumin, and then subsequently treated with silymarin, underwent greater cell death.

This research shows promise for use of these phytochemicals in humans for the prevention of colon cancer; however, further research is needed to demonstrate if the plant compounds would be an effective treatment for patients with colon cancer.

Until further research is conducted to rule out any potential harm from these compounds, the author of the study, Uthayashanker Ezekiel, Ph.D., suggests only adding small amounts of the spice to one’s current diet, rather than incorporating a high intake of the compounds.

Primary Reference 

Montgomery, A., Adeyeni, T., San, K., Heuertz, R. M., & Ezekiel, U. R. (2016). Curcumin Sensitizes Silymarin to Exert Synergistic Anticancer Activity in Colon Cancer Cells. Journal of Cancer, 7(10), 1250.

Additional References 

(2016 Jul 22). Saint Louis University research: Plant compounds give ‘1-2’ punch to colon cancer. Retrieved from http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-07/slu-slu072216.php

(2016 Jun 10). 7 Health Benefits of Turmeric. Retried from http://www.dovemed.com/7-health-benefits-of-turmeric/

Was this article helpful

On the Article

Krish Tangella MD, MBA picture
Approved by

Krish Tangella MD, MBA

Pathology, Medical Editorial Board, DoveMed Team

0 Comments

Please log in to post a comment.

Related Articles

Test Your Knowledge

Asked by users

Related Centers

Loading

Related Specialties

Loading card

Related Physicians

Related Procedures

Related Resources

Join DoveHubs

and connect with fellow professionals

Related Directories

Who we are

At DoveMed, our utmost priority is your well-being. We are an online medical resource dedicated to providing you with accurate and up-to-date information on a wide range of medical topics. But we're more than just an information hub - we genuinely care about your health journey. That's why we offer a variety of products tailored for both healthcare consumers and professionals, because we believe in empowering everyone involved in the care process.
Our mission is to create a user-friendly healthcare technology portal that helps you make better decisions about your overall health and well-being. We understand that navigating the complexities of healthcare can be overwhelming, so we strive to be a reliable and compassionate companion on your path to wellness.
As an impartial and trusted online resource, we connect healthcare seekers, physicians, and hospitals in a marketplace that promotes a higher quality, easy-to-use healthcare experience. You can trust that our content is unbiased and impartial, as it is trusted by physicians, researchers, and university professors around the globe. Importantly, we are not influenced or owned by any pharmaceutical, medical, or media companies. At DoveMed, we are a group of passionate individuals who deeply care about improving health and wellness for people everywhere. Your well-being is at the heart of everything we do.

© 2023 DoveMed. All rights reserved. It is not the intention of DoveMed to provide specific medical advice. DoveMed urges its users to consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and answers to their personal medical questions. Always call 911 (or your local emergency number) if you have a medical emergency!