I
Turmeric may be used in anti-cancer drug
08 February 2004
The Hindu
By Bindu Shajan Perappadan
NEW DELHI: While Pune will host the country's most ambitious clinical
trials in developing an Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome vaccine, in
the Capital's satellite township of Noida, the Institute of Cytology
and Preventive Oncology (ICPO) has quietly reached a milestone.
Looking at the possibility of turmeric being an anti-cancer drug,
researchers here have probably for the first time hit upon enough
"proof" to state that what had previously been only speculations is
indeed a fact.
The results of the research looking into the possibility of turmeric
being used as an anti cancer-drug will be released and discussed at the
upcoming 24th Annual Convention on "Human Papillomavirus and Cervical
Cancer" hosted by ICPO. This would also give the scientific community
across the world a chance to take a peek into the infinite
possibilities that the discovery has thrown up.
Turmeric is a common ingredient in Indian food and it is the
"curcumin", an active ingredient of turmeric, that is found to be a
potent inhibitor of human papillomaviruses (HPV) causing one of the
most commonly occurring cancers among women in India -- cervical
cancer.
While it is known that cervical cancer is caused by the infection of
specific types of high-risk HPVs types 16 and 18, the Division of
Molecular Oncology, ICPO, has been able to prove that the active
ingredient in turmeric can inhibit the action of papillomavirus,
preventing the expression of cervical cancer.
"While we aren't sure about the exact mechanism of how turmeric works
in the body, we are sure about the action and the "preventive" property
of turmeric. And while the research has been published in an
international journal, work is now on to investigate the regulatory
role of a potential anti-oxidative agent curcumin," explained the ICPO
director, B.C. Das.
He said that research was on to find out how the active component
enters the cell and the path it takes to protect the body against the
cancer causing HPV 16 and 18 virus. "We are sure about the molecular
property of turmeric and are now looking into the possibility of active
trial projects for which talks are on. And while we are sure about the
action of turmeric, we are also looking into the possibility of
research into neem, tulsi, ginger and amla -- all part of the Indian
system of medicine about which we have known for the past 3,000 years
but are only now realising their goodness. Though it might be a while
before we arrive at information that people can use, we are actively
looking at `medicinal plants' which can give people healthier lives,"
said an ICPO official.
Who loves ya.
Tom
Jesus Was A Vegetarian! http://jesuswasavegetarian.7h.com
Man Is A Herbivore!
http://pages.ivillage.com/ironjustice/manisaherbivore
DEAD PEOPLE WALKING
http://pages.ivillage.com/ironjustice/deadpeoplewalking
08 February 2004
The Hindu
By Bindu Shajan Perappadan
NEW DELHI: While Pune will host the country's most ambitious clinical
trials in developing an Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome vaccine, in
the Capital's satellite township of Noida, the Institute of Cytology
and Preventive Oncology (ICPO) has quietly reached a milestone.
Looking at the possibility of turmeric being an anti-cancer drug,
researchers here have probably for the first time hit upon enough
"proof" to state that what had previously been only speculations is
indeed a fact.
The results of the research looking into the possibility of turmeric
being used as an anti cancer-drug will be released and discussed at the
upcoming 24th Annual Convention on "Human Papillomavirus and Cervical
Cancer" hosted by ICPO. This would also give the scientific community
across the world a chance to take a peek into the infinite
possibilities that the discovery has thrown up.
Turmeric is a common ingredient in Indian food and it is the
"curcumin", an active ingredient of turmeric, that is found to be a
potent inhibitor of human papillomaviruses (HPV) causing one of the
most commonly occurring cancers among women in India -- cervical
cancer.
While it is known that cervical cancer is caused by the infection of
specific types of high-risk HPVs types 16 and 18, the Division of
Molecular Oncology, ICPO, has been able to prove that the active
ingredient in turmeric can inhibit the action of papillomavirus,
preventing the expression of cervical cancer.
"While we aren't sure about the exact mechanism of how turmeric works
in the body, we are sure about the action and the "preventive" property
of turmeric. And while the research has been published in an
international journal, work is now on to investigate the regulatory
role of a potential anti-oxidative agent curcumin," explained the ICPO
director, B.C. Das.
He said that research was on to find out how the active component
enters the cell and the path it takes to protect the body against the
cancer causing HPV 16 and 18 virus. "We are sure about the molecular
property of turmeric and are now looking into the possibility of active
trial projects for which talks are on. And while we are sure about the
action of turmeric, we are also looking into the possibility of
research into neem, tulsi, ginger and amla -- all part of the Indian
system of medicine about which we have known for the past 3,000 years
but are only now realising their goodness. Though it might be a while
before we arrive at information that people can use, we are actively
looking at `medicinal plants' which can give people healthier lives,"
said an ICPO official.
Who loves ya.
Tom
Jesus Was A Vegetarian! http://jesuswasavegetarian.7h.com
Man Is A Herbivore!
http://pages.ivillage.com/ironjustice/manisaherbivore
DEAD PEOPLE WALKING
http://pages.ivillage.com/ironjustice/deadpeoplewalking