|
|
| What's News |
| Curry spice could protect skin during cancer treatment! |
US researchers have found that the common Eastern spice curcumin, often an important ingredient in curry mixes, may help
protect the skin of cancer patients during radiation therapy. Curcumin, the substance that gives turmeric its yellow color,
has previously been found to have health benefits as a natural anti-inflammatory compound. It can also suppress blood vessel
growth within tumors -a process called anti-angiogenesis.
Now researchers from the university of Rochester Medical Center,
New York, have found that curcumin may also protect the skin from burns and blisters that often occur during radiation
treatment. A team of researchers, led by Dr. Ivan Ding studied 200 mice that were given three different doses curcumin
for five to seven days a week. On the fifth day the mice were given doses of radiation, and the scientists then assessed
skin damage 20 days later.
They found that the mice that had received the spice had minimal skin damage caused by radiation.
In addition, curcumin was also found to suppress the development of new cells in the tumor, furthering the effectiveness of
radiation therapy. Dr. Paul Okunieff, head of radiation oncology at the prestigious Wilmot Cancer Center, said "This is
significant because skin damage is a real problem for patients undergoing radiation to treat their tumors. If a non-toxic,
natural substance can help prevent this damage and enhance the effectiveness of our radiation, that's a winning situation.
Although the researchers say that additional studies are needed to further assess the effectiveness of curcumin in together
with other anti-inflammatory compounds, they add that cancer patients should consider eating curries (curry dishes) or
other foods containing the spice during their radiation therapy.
The research was presented in New Orleans at the 44th
annual meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology.
|
|
|
|
