From Cancer Research 1999, Vol 59, Iss3 pp597-601 Curcumin is both an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and it can inhibit chemically induced cardinogenesis in the skin, forestomach and colon . Curcumin was also shown to increase apoptosis (cell death), it inhibited growth of tumors in the colon. This has not been studied in humans to any degree but animal studies are indicative. Ann's NOTE: As a cancer patient, I resent the fact that wherever trials are conducted, money is being spent on pharmaceuticals and human trials while there is SO much resistance to studying natural substances in humans. Sometimes I think there is a kind of prejudice or resistance to non-toxic substances. It seems to me that researchers have 'forgotten' that a substance does not have to be toxic to be effective. Curcumin is also known as the spice turmeric. It is present in Indian food cooking. Oral Curcuma and Colorectal Cancer Patients Clin Cancer Res, July 2001 Pharmacodynamic Action & Colonic Levels Curcumin Pharmacology of Curcumin Curcumin enhances effects: 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin Denver Naturopathic News: Curcumin & Chemo 12/03 WARNING on certain CHEMOS Effects of Dietary Curcumin on Glutathione S-Transferase (rats) Clin Cancer Res, May, 2001 Induction of Glutathione S-Transferase Activity By Curcumin (mice) Mechanisms of Anticarcinogenic Properties of Curcumin Int J Biochem Cell Biol 1998 Herbal Flavonoids Reduce Colon Ca Risk (Rats) Turmeric for Breast Cancer Protection Dr. D'Adamo Speaks Curcumin: Suppressive Effects on Human Bca cells Intl J Cancer, 2002 Curry and TRAIL Fight Cancer AACR meeting, 4/02 Dietary Curcumin Inhibits Chemo in Vitro Cancer Res, 7/02 Turmeric/Curcumin/Curry and Radiation American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology, 10/02 Protection for Radiation Therapy Turmeric and Radiation Therapy Turmeric & Blood Cancer MD Anderson Cancer Ctr, 3/03 Curcumin & Irreversible Growth Inhibition/Apoptosis:Melanoma AACR Abstract #R2722, 2003 Natural Cyclo-Oxhgenase-2 Inhibitors Aliment Pharmacol Ther, 1/04 Curcumin Inhibits Growth Head/Neck Squamous Cell Ca Intl J Cancer, 9/04 Curcumin Suppresses Growth of Head/Neck CA Cells Turmeric as Treatment for Cystic Fibrosis "Findings", October, 2004 issue National Institute of General Medical Sciences, NIH Curcumin Blocks Melanoma Growth - In Vitro (Non-toxic) Cancer, 8/05 Isoimperatorin (from Poncirus trifoliata Raf) Anticancer Carcinogenesis, published online July, 2006 Curcumin: Natural Therapy for Cancer (in Cell Death Processes) eCAM, Advance Access, 4/07 Oxford Journals Curcumin & Oxidative Stress (In Cell Death Processes) Curcumin and Cell Death Curcumin and the Nervous System Curcumin and Aging Conclusions: Curcumin Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.