For centuries, turmeric, the yellow coloured spice, popularly known as haldi, has remained an important ingredient of the folk medical system in India and has been used to treat rashes, boils, ulcers and infections in general. As a popular spice, it continues to be used in a variety of Indian dishes. In fact, the potential curative qualities of turmeric hit the global spotlight when in 1997, India succeeded in getting a US patent on the healing properties of turmeric cancelled after a prolonged legal battle.
Following a challenge mounted by the New Delhi-based Council of Scientific and Industrial research (CSIR), the US Patent and Trade Office (USPTO) cancelled rights to products from the turmeric that had been granted in 1995 to researchers from the University of Mississippi Medical Centre. The patent had been awarded on the ground that two Indian born scientists, Dr Soman K Das and Dr Hari Har P Cohly, had developed an original method of healing wounds through treatment based on turmeric powder which is also used as a dye and a spice in curries. On its part, CSIR conclusively proved that the medicinal qualities of turmeric has been in public domain in India for centuries.
Significantly, research work done in India has hinted at the anti-cancerous properties of curcumin, an active component of turmeric. Curcumin is also known to possess anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial qualities. However, further research studies backed by extensive clinical trials are vital to conclusively prove the anti-cancerous properties of curcumin.
Apparently, it is believed that because curcumin targets a number of biological pathways in the human system, it could possibly be a highly beneficial agent for cancer therapy. Animal trials involving curcumin go to show that this vital component of turmeric could effectively act against a range of inflammatory diseases. On another front, curcumin also holds promise for treating diabetes and auto immune diseases. Of late, medical researchers are also busy exploring the possibility of using curcumin to treat Alzheimer's.
Interestingly, way back in 1980, Bharat Aggarwal, an Indian born scientist working for the American genetic engineering firm Genetech, along with a team of researchers, had successfully isolated two immune molecules from turmeric. Both these molecules were subsequently found to possess anti-cancerous qualities. However, the catch was that these two molecules which destroyed cancer cells when used in localised situation, were found to act as a potential tumour promoter when circulated widely in the blood stream.
In 1989, while working at the University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Centre, Aggarwal turned his focus on isolating compounds that could effectively fight inflammation and show up its anti-cancer qualities. Intensive research studies pursued by Aggarwal also resulted in the successful isolation of turmeric compounds that effectively prevented the otherwise explosive growth of cancer cells. In fact, the solid research work carried out by Aggarwal became a sort of sound platform for establishing the efficacy of curcumin as an adjunct therapy to tackle pancreatic cancer and multiple myeloma.
In fact, a number of small and medium sized pharmaceutical and genetic engineering firms in USA are busy working towards changing the chemical composition of curcumin to enhance its effectiveness against a number of ailments. For instance, the San Diego based Andro Science is planning to execute the first phase of clinical trials with compounds derived from curcumin as a potential drug candidate for acne. This compound was discovered by the company in association with the University of North Carolina.
Not to be left behind, Curry Pharmaceutical of which Aggarwal is co-founder, is planning the clinical trials of curcumin derivatives. However, Dr Aggarwal is not in favour of changing the natural complexion of curcumin. For, he says, this step could result in side effects in patients. Researcher Greg Cole of the University of California, in association with Veterans Administration, is planning a clinical trial to find out the possibility of using curcumin for treating Alzheimer's.
