Turmeric: The Golden Shield of Nature that can Treat Cancers

Abstract

The potential health advantages of turmeric, a golden-yellow root that has a long history of use in South Asian cuisine and traditional medicine, have attracted significant scientific interest. The main ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, has antiinflammatory, anti-free radical, and maybe cancer-preventive effects. Based on studies conducted in labs, curcumin has the potential to impact various pathways that lead to cancer progression. These pathways include halting cell proliferation, killing cancer cells, stopping the formation of new blood vessels that supply tumors, and changing specific proteins that control gene function, like NF-κB and STAT3. Laboratory studies have shown that curcumin enhances the effectiveness and decreases the side effects of conventional cancer treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy, suggesting that it could be utilized as an adjuvant treatment. Unfortunately, curcumin has a poor oral bioavailability, finding the optimal dosage is challenging, and there aren't enough large-scale trials to support its efficacy, making its application in actual medical contexts challenging. This study compiles recent research on curcumin and turmeric as they pertain to cancer treatment, discusses potential future applications, and suggests strategies to enhance their current use.