Study: Curcumin Kills Throat Cancer Cells

Heather Callaghan
Activist Post

It is widely believed that curcumin, a component of turmeric spice, is an effective anti-inflammatory agent and pain reducer. However, there is now documented evidence that curcumin is actually a cancer killer.

This is because in February 2012, an article was published in PLOSOne journal and entitled “Curcumin Induces Cell Death in Esophageal Cancer Cells through Modulating Notch Signaling” indicates that, by a process not fully understood by the researchers, curcumin actually causes the death of esophageal cancer cells.

According to the researchers, it’s becoming more clear that abnormal Notch signaling (a cell signaling system) is directly related to the development of esophageal cancer. This study suggests that curcumin inhibited the growth of esophageal cancer through an mechanism mediated through the Notch signaling pathway which is, as of yet, not fully understood by the scientific community.

What is understood, however, is that curcumin does cause the death of esophageal cancer cells.

Researchers Subramaniam et al state:

Curcumin inhibits the growth of esophageal cancer cell lines; however, the mechanism of action is not well understood. It is becoming increasingly clear that aberrant activation of Notch signaling has been associated with the development of esophageal cancer. Here, we have determined that curcumin inhibits esophageal cancer growth via a mechanism mediated through the Notch signaling pathway.

Subramaniam et al continue by stating:

In this study, we show that curcumin treatment resulted in a dose and time dependent inhibition of proliferation and colony formation in esophageal cancer cell lines…..Curcumin treatment also resulted in reduced number and size of esophagospheres.

In the end, the authors concluded that:

Curcumin is a potent inhibitor of esophageal cancer growth that targets the Notch-1 activating γ-secretase complex proteins. These data suggest that Notch signaling inhibition is a novel mechanism of action for curcumin during therapeutic intervention in esophageal cancers.

The Subramaniam et al study conducted in 2012 is yet further evidence that natural supplementation and common spices such as turmeric can have a profound effect on human health.

Organic bulk turmeric powder easily can be obtained for just over $1 per ounce and incorporated into food, smoothies and drinks.

Without a doubt, more research should be done, not only on curcumin, but on a host of other spices, herbs and foods that may eliminate the need for toxic and dangerous cancer treatments in the future.

Also see:

Heather Callaghan is a natural health blogger and food freedom activist. You can see her work at NaturalBlaze.com and ActivistPost.com. Like at Facebook.

Recent posts by Heather Callaghan: