MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF CANCER CHEMOPREVENTION MODULATED BY CURCUMA LONGA
Dr. Anupam, Dr. Suneeti Chaudhary, Dr. Rajni Bala and *Dr. Vijay Kumar
ABSTRACT
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has been used as a spice and a cosmetic in
Indian culture traditionally and has been a component of Indian
Ayurvedic medicine since 1900 BC. As a medicine, Curcuma longa
is used mainly for various allergic and inflammatory respiratory
conditions, as well as for liver disorders, anorexia, rheumatism and
wound healing. Turmeric has nearly 20 molecules with antibiotic
property, 14 molecules with cancer preventive potential, 12 with antitumor
effect. Curcumin [diferuloylmethane (C21H20O6)], a
polyphenol, is an active principle of the perennial herb Curcuma
longa and derived from the roots (rhizomes) of the plant. Curcumin,
the principal curcuminoid of turmeric, has been intensely studied as a cancer protective agent.
Its potential has been tapped in head and neck cancers, breast, lung, gastro-intestinal cancer,
ovarian cancer, melanoma, neurological cancers, sarcoma, leukemias and lymphoma.
Keywords: .
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