Curcumin, the yellow pigment derived from the Indian spice, turmeric (Curcuma longa), is known to have anti-inflammatory, antitumor and antioxidant effects. Now for the first time, research reports that a combination of curcumin and quercetin (an antioxidant) may help prevent precancerous polyps in the intestines. If precancerous polyps are left untreated, they increase the risk for colon cancer.
The study, published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, investigated whether curcumin with quercetin supplementation would help prevent the growth of precancerous polyps in the intestines. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine administered 480 milligrams of curcumin and 20 milligrams of quercetin three times a day to five patients with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), for six months. FAP is a rare, genetic condition that causes the growth of precancerous polyps in the intestines. All of the participants had their colons surgically removed. The researchers recorded the number and size of polyps present in the participants' intestines at baseline and after treatment.
The researchers found that all of the patients had a decrease in polyp number and size. The number of polyps decreased by 60 percent and their size decreased by 50 percent. Although quercetin was administered, the researchers believe that curcumin was the key substance.
The researchers intend to do more research on curcumin. "The combination of curcumin and quercetin appears to reduce the number and size of ileal and rectal adenomas in patients with FAP without appreciable toxicity," the study authors write. "Randomized controlled trials are needed to validate these findings."
REFERENCES:
1. Cruz-Correa M et al. Combination treatment with curcumin and quercetin of adenomas in familial adenomatous polyposis. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2006 Aug;4(8):1035-8. Epub 2006 Jun 6.
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on December 9, 2006 03:40 PM
