Turmeric, a valuable ally against chemotherapy resistant cancer. The new study

    According to a new study, curcumin inhibits tumor cells and can be used as a substitute for chemotherapies.

    Wonderful curcumin, now also an ally against cancer. An interesting new research highlights the ability of the active ingredient present in turmeric to inhibit cancer cells. A hope that opens up the possibility of producing new drugs capable of targeting chemotherapy-resistant tumors.





    Scientists from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, in collaboration with researchers from Peking University and Zhejiang, have indeed discovered in a recent study, through the raggi X crystallography, That the curcumin, the main biologically active component of turmeric, is able to interfere with the biochemical processes of cancer cells and prevent their proliferation.

    Curcumin, that is, would be able to target and reduce cancer cells: could it be an opportunity for an alternative treatment of cancer forms resistant to chemotherapy?

    Once again, curcumin proves to be a source of a thousand potential and benefits: there are many studies that link the effects of curcumin with those of conventional drugs useful in the treatment of some diseases and many have shown how the curcumin is even better than drugs by prescription and in addition it offers the advantage of not giving side effects.

    By now also known is the anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin practically comparable to that of the typical drugs used to combat inflammation, such as cortisone, but without side effects. In particular, it is not gastrointestinal but even excellent for treating irritable colon and gastric ulcer.

    With this new study, the researchers have drawn attention to ability of curcumin to interact with the DYRK2 enzyme, inhibiting it and blocking the functions of cancer cells, damaging its proliferation.

    But, experts warn: “In general, curcumin is excreted from the body quite quickly. For it to be an effective drug, it must be modified to enter the bloodstream and stay in the body long enough to target cancer cells and alone may not be enough to slow cancer in human patients. "



    Through the so-called X-ray crystallography, the structure of curcumin and the active site with which it binds to the DYRK2 enzyme were "photographed", putting in place a very strong inhibition in its function. For a long time, scholars have been looking for a drug that would interact with the "proteome" (or with some of its activators such as DYRK2) of the most resistant cancer cells, an organ without which the cell is unable to proliferate.

    Turmeric, a valuable ally against chemotherapy resistant cancer. The new study

    A 3D image obtained with X-ray crystallography of curcumin (Source)

    "Our main goal is to develop a chemical compound that can target DYRK2 in cancer patients" say the researchers and add "Our results reveal an unexpected role for curcumin in inhibiting DYRK2 and provide evidence that manipulation proteasome regulators may offer new opportunities for the treatment of difficult-to-treat triple-negative breast cancer and multiple myeloma (drug-resistant cancers) ”.

    In short, a beautiful discovery that suggests the hope of replacing the devastating effects of chemotherapy therapies with natural remedies.



    Read also

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    • Turmeric: the spice that helps cancer patients

    Germana Carillo

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