IIT Madras researchers found potential of turmeric in treating cancer

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras have shown that curcumin, the active compound from turmeric curcumin can enhance cancer cell death. Finding agents that can trigger apoptosis, or programmed cell death, has been of interest to cancer researchers.

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Key-Points

TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is an agent with the ability to programme cell death (apoptosis) and has triggered many preclinical studies the world over.

The IIT-M research team chose curcumin as it is known to inhibit carcinogenesis and induce apoptosis in various cancer cells.

The researchers isolated leukaemia cells from cancer patients and found that non-toxic concentrations of curcumin can significantly increase the efficiency of TRAIL-induced cell death.

The researchers said their findings clearly show that even small concentrations of curcumin could potentially enhance the sensitiveness of leukemic cells to TRAIL.

Several studies have focused on natural compounds that could significantly enhance TRAIL-mediated apoptosis at non-toxic concentrations.