Curcumin's Mechanism of Action
Turmeric has been used therapeutically since time immemorial. According to ancient Ayurvedic literature, Turmeric was used in India as a medicine as far back as 5000 years ago. Even today, it is regularly used in Asian food as a spice to add flavour and colour to curry.
Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric is the latest discovery in organic cures. Scientists have hailed it as potential cure for liver disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease and even AIDS. It is expected to be valuable since it is completely natural and abundantly found. The need for Curcumin has been intensified by the comorbidity of certain diseases, like diabetes and obesity, and the need for a single ingredient to tackle these diseases at the root and nip them in the bud.
Curcumin has been variously ascribed properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-oxidant. It is a detoxifying agent that stimulates the immune system and lowers the level of bad cholesterol. This description makes it clear that Curcumin acts on our body in more ways than one. All of these different mechanisms are inter-linked. To determine its exact effects Curcumin has been the subject of much research in the recent past.
Although its properties have been known and exploited for a long time, the biosynthetic route of Curcumin has proven difficult to establish. Following oral administration, the bioavailability of curcumin is approximately 60-65%. Two mechanisms of the consequent synthesis were proposed in 1973 by Roughly and Whiting, but these were tested experimentally only 35 years later. Both of these proposed mechanisms start with the usage of cinnamic acid, a derivative of the amino acid phenylalanine. This partially explains why Curcumin has such an unusual effect since only a handful of currently identified compounds, such as anigorufone and pinosylvin, use cinnamic acid as their starting point.
Curcumin's anti-inflammatory action
Inflammation is caused when the immune system responds to tissue damage with a complex series of actions and reactions. When the body fights infection and initiates healing, some inflammation occurs. If this inflammation becomes chronic, then the person may fall prey to a myriad of degenerative diseases like arthritis and arteriosclerosis.
Curcumin works to inhibit the activity and synthesis of the enzymes implicated in inflammation, such as, cyclooxygenase-2 and 5-lipooxygenase. Its anti-inflammatory action may also be attributed to inhibition of pro-inflammatory leukotrienes, postraglandins and arachidonic acid, as well as to its neutrophil function during inflammatory states. Along with the curcuminoids, the volatile oils present in turmeric are also responsible for the anti-inflammatory activity. One of the constituents of turmeric, ar-tumerone, has been shown to arrest the growth and cytotoxic activity of human lymphocytes.
Curcumin's behaves in a manner similar to aspirin, without causing vascular thrombosis. Curcumin has been compared in potency to steroidal drugs and some nonsterodial drugs as well, again without the dangerous side effects. Clinical trials show that at dosages of 400 mg per day to 1200 mg per day, curcumin is comparable to the drug phenylbutazone.
Curcumin's anti-oxidant action
Chemicals, tissue injury, infections, and auto-immune processes are all sources of free radicals which have the potential to cause damage to our body. This is where antioxidants enter the scene to provide protection from free radical-induced damage.
Curcumin and other extracts of turmeric act as free radical scavengers and make for effective antioxidants. In addition, they inhibit oxidative DNA damage and relieve oxidative stress. Curcumin is a great antioxidant since it is able to regulate the formation of nitric oxide which plays a key role in inflammation and is carcinogenic.
Curcumin's potency is are comparable to vitamins C and E. Curcumin was shown to be eight times more potent than vitamin E in lipid peroxidation, and three times more powerful than vitamin C in neutralizing free radicals.
Curcumin's anti-microbial properties
In India, turmeric was, and in some parts of the country still is, applied to cuts and wounds to heal them, evincing its antimicrobial properties. Laboratory studies have confirmed this traditional use of turmeric. Curcumin inhibits the growth of a variety of bacteria, parasites and pathogenic fungi. It also reduces the lesions caused by intestinal parasites, dermatophytes, and fungi.
In addition to these basic functions, Curcumin also acts as a choleretic, that is, a substance that increases the volume of bile and amounts of solids secreted from the liver. More than 700 genes have been shown to be modulated by curcumin. Curcumin works well against many different kinds of cancer such as prostate cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer. Its anti-tumor activity appears to be due to its interactions with arachidonate metabolism and its anti-angiogenic properties.
Given these unique advantages, it is no wonder that Curcumin is slowly emerging as a one-stop cure for all ailments.
