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Benefits
· Protects cells and tissues by fighting free radicals*
· Supports joint function*
The numerous beneficial effects attributed to turmeric stem in large measure
from the antioxidant properties of curcumin. Antioxidants neutralize free
radicals, which are highly unstable molecules that can damage cellular
structures through abnormal oxidative reactions. Curcumin is a potent
“scavenger” of the superoxide radical, a free radical that initiates potentially
harmful oxidative processes such as lipid peroxidation.5 Through this activity,
curcumin has been shown to protect skin cells from the injurious effect of
nitroblue tetrazolium, a toxin that generates superoxide radicals. Curcumin also
increases survival of cells exposed in vitro to the enzyme hypoxanthine/xanthine
oxidase, which stimulates superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production. Curcumin
is not toxic to cells, even at high concentrations. “Pure” curcumin (see first
paragraph under “Ingredients” above) was shown to be less protective that a
mixture of curcuminoids, indicating a possible synergism among the
curcuminoids.6 Because free radicals are involved in aging and exert harmful
effects on skin, these results suggest curcumin may help slow skin aging.
Curcumin demonstrates several other in vitro effects linked to free radical
scavenging. Curcumin scavenges nitric oxide, a compound associated with the
body’s inflammatory response.7 Pure curcumin and turmeric extracts protect red
blood cells from lipid peroxidation induced by hydrogen peroxide.8 Curcumin has
been shown to protect DNA from oxidative damage, inhibit binding of toxic
metabolites to DNA, and reduce DNA mutations in the Ames’ test.9 Although
additional studies suggest an anticarcinogenic effect of curcumin, through
protection of DNA,10 one in vitro study found that curcumin induced DNA damage
in human gastric mucosal cells.11 It is speculated that curcumin may act as a
pro-oxidant in the presence of transition metal ions such as copper and iron.
(This is true for other antioxidants, including vitamin C.) Curcumin also
demonstrates in vitro inhibition of COX-I and COX-II enzymes, which are involved
in the inflammatory reaction.12 Together these results strongly suggest that
curcumin is a potent bioprotectant with a potentially wide range of therapeutic
applications.
Animal studies- In vivo protective effects
Through its free radical scavenging properties, curcumin has shown bioprotective
effects in animals. In one study, rats were treated with isoproterenol, a
chemical that cause cardiac hypertrophy (enlargement of the heart) due to
abnormal collagen metabolism. Co-treatment with curcumin reversed the
degradation of collagen and cardiac hypertrophy induced by isoproterenol.13
Curcumin protects mice from detrimental effects of radiation, by stabilizing the
glyoxalase system, a biological system that regulates cell division.14 Curcumin
protects livers of rats from the damaging effects of carbon tetrachloride
(CCl4), a potent hepatoxin that injures the liver via its free radical
metabolite, CCl3.15,16 Curcumin protected rats from alcohol-induced brain
damage, in a study in which oral administration of curcumin reversed lipid
peroxidation, reduced levels of free-radical metabolites and increased levels of
glutathione, a major physiologic antioxidant.17 Curcuma long extracts have shown
anti-inflammatory effects in rats.18
Additional studies have shown that curcumin administered to rats following the
administration of pro-oxidant chemicals reduced serum levels of ALT, a prominent
liver enzyme indicator of inflammation, as well as thiobarbituric acid reactive
substances (TBARS), which are major indicators of lipid peroxidation and
oxidative stress.19 These results suggest that curcumin can enhance the
detoxifying ability of the liver.
Several in vitro investigations point to the ability of curcuminoids to regulate
immune mediators involved in promoting normal joint function and promoting a
balanced immune response in joint tissue. In vivo results from animal studies
support this potential action of curcumin. In a rat model of impaired joint
function, oral administration of curcumin was shown to decrease elevated levels
of a glycoprotein involved in the joint immune response, thereby alleviating
swelling in joint tissue. Another study conducted in rats showed that curcumin
administration that was initiated before the onset of joint swelling in these
animals had a continued preventive effect and served to enhance joint comfort
and mobility.20
Human Trials
Curcumin exhibits free-radical scavenging ability when administered to humans.
In an open trial (uncontrolled), 18 healthy individuals ranging in age from 27
to 67 years consumed a Curcuma longa extract, at a dose supplying 20 mg
curcuminoids, for 45 days. Before and after blood tests showed a statistically
significant decrease in lipid peroxides.21 Preliminary trials have tested the
joint-supportive actions of curcumin, with results that verify the traditional
use of turmeric for maintaining joint function. In a short-term double-blind,
cross-over, comparative study, 18 people received curcumin (1200 mg daily) or
phenylbutazone for two week periods. Both curcumin and phenylbutazone produced
measurable improvements in joint flexibility and walking time. The subjects
reported results only with phenylbutazone, which may be explained by the short
duration of the trial.22 In a small placebo-controlled trial comparing curcumin
to phenylbutazone, 45 patients with post-operative inflammation received
curcumin, phenylbutazone or placebo. The anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin
and phenylbutazone were comparable and superior to placebo.23 Curcumin has not
been found to produce an analgesic (pain relieving) effect.
· Supports healthy brain aging and has potent neuroprotective activity*
A more recent line of research has investigated the ability and potential of
curcuminoids to support healthy brain aging and maintain cognitive function. A
large number of in vitro and animal studies confirm the neuroprotective effects
of curcumin, many of which derive from the free radical scavenging abilities of
this compound. Studies in animals administered CNS infusions of compounds with
known brain toxicity have shown that subsequent administration of curcumin led
to significant reductions in brain oxidative damage and a significant
neuroprotective effect when compared to control animals.24 Curcumin is able to
clearly produce these antioxidant effects in brain tissue due to its ability to
readily cross the blood-brain barrier.
Further studies suggest that curcumin is one of the few compounds that are
actually likely to support youthful brain aging. Tetrahydrocurcumin, a major
metabolite of curcumin, has shown the ability to increase life span in
middle-aged mice. Additional animal research has shown that chronic
administration of curcumin resulted in decreased lipid peroxidation and
decreased accumulation of the brain-aging marker known as lipofuscin. Curcumin
has also been shown to increase the activity of numerous enzymes that support
antioxidant defenses.25 These findings support the ability of curcumin and its
metabolites to promote healthy brain aging and protect the brain and other
tissues from age-related oxidative damage.
Scientific References
1. Majeed, M., Badmaev, V., Shivakumar, U., Rajendran, R. Curcuminoids. 1995.
Piscataway, NJ: NutriScience Publishers.
2. Srimal, R.C. Turmeric: a brief review of its medicinal properties.
Fitoterapia 1997;68(6):483-93.
3. Ammon, H.P.T., Wahl, M.A. Pharmacology of Curcuma longa. Planta Medica
1991;57:1-7.
4. Snow, J.M. Herbal Monograph: Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae). The Protocol
Journal of Botanical Medicine, Autumn 1995:43-46.
5. Rao, N.S., Rao, M.N.A. Free radical scavenging activity of curcuminoids.
Arzneim.-Forsch./Drug Res. 1996;46(2):169-171.
6. Bonté. F. et al. Protective effect of curcuminoids on epidermal skin cells
under free oxygen radical stress. Planta Medica 1997;63:265-66.
7. Rao, S., Rao, M.N.A. Nitric oxide scavenging by curcuminoids. J Pharm.
Pharmacol. 1997;49:105-7.
8. Lalitha, S., Selvam, R. Prevention of H2Os-induced red blood cell lipid
peroxidation by aqueous extracted turmeric. Asia Pacific J Clin Nutr
1999;8(2):113-14.
9. Deshpande, S.S., Maru, G.B. Effects of curcumin on the formation of
benzo[a]pyrene derived DNA adducts in vitro. Cancer Letters 1995;96:71-80.
10. Subramanian, M., et al. Diminution of singlet oxygen-induced DNA damage by
curcumin and related antioxidants. Mutation Research 1994;311:249-55.
11. Blasiak, J., Trzeciak, A., Kowalik, J. Curcumin damages DNA in human gastric
mucosa cells and lymphocytes. Journal of Environmental Pathology, Toxicology and
Oncology 1999;18(4):271-76.
12. Ramsewak, R.S., DeWitt, D.L., Nair, M.G. Cytotoxicity, antioxidant, and
anti-inflammatory activities of Curcumins I-III from Curcuma longa.
Phytomedicine 2000;7(4):303-308.
13. Nirmala, C. Anand, S., Puvanakrishnan, R. Curcumin treatment modulates
collagen metabolism in isoproterenol induced myocardial necrosis in rats.
Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry 1999;197:31-37.
14. Choudhary, D., Chandra, D. Kale, R.K. Modulation of radioresponse of
glyoxalase system by curcumin. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 1999;64:1-7.
15. Park, E-J. et al. Protective effect of curcumin in rat liver injury induced
by carbon tetrachloride. J Pharm. Pharmacol. 2000;52:437-40.
16. Deshpande, U.R. et al. Protective effect of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)
extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats. Indian Journal of
Experimental Biology 1998;36:573-77.
17. Rajakrishnan, V. et al. Neuroprotective role of curcumin from Curcuma longa
on ethanol-induced brain damage. Phytotherapy Research 1999;13:571-74.
18. Arora, R.B. Basu, N., Kapoor, V., Jain, A.P. Anti-inflammatory studies on
Curcuma longa (Turmeric). Indian J Med Res 1971;59(8):1289-95.
19. Ramirez-Bosca, A. et al. Antioxidant curcuma extracts decrease the blood
peroxide levels of human subjects. Age 1995;18:167-69.
20. Deodhar, S.D., Sethi, R. Srimal. R.C. Preliminary study on antirheumatic
activity of curcumin (diferoyl methane). Indian J Med Res 1980;71:632-34.
21. Satoskar, R.R., Shah, S J. Shenoy, S.G. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory
property of curcumin (diferoyl methane) in patients with postoperative
inflammation. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Therapy and
Toxicolgy 1986;24(12):651-54.
22. Atal, C., Zutshi, U., Rao, P. Scientific evidence on the role of Ayurvedic
herbals on bioavailability of drugs. Journal of Ethnopharmacology
1981;4:229-232.
23. Bioperine–Nature's Bioavailability Enhancing Thermonutrient. Executive
Summary. 1996; Sabinsa Corporation, Piscataway, N.J.
24. Shoba, G., et al. Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin
in animals and human volunteers. Planta Medica 1998;64(4):353-6.
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