Curcumin (diferuloylmethane) is a polyphenol derived from the plant Curcuma longa, commonly called turmeric. Extensive research over the last 50 years has indicated this polyphenol can both prevent and treat cancer. The anticancer potential of curcumin stems from its ability to suppress proliferation of a wide variety of tumor cells, down-regulate transcription factors NF- κB, AP-1 and Egr-1; down-regulate the expression of COX2, LOX, NOS, MMP-9, uPA, TNF, chemokines, cell surface adhesion molecules and cyclin D1; down-regulate growth factor receptors (such as EGFR and HER2); and inhibit the activity of c-Jun N-terminal kinase, protein tyrosine kinases and protein serine/threonine kinases. In several systems, curcumin has been described as a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Evidence has also been presented to suggest that curcumin can suppress tumor initiation, promotion and metastasis. Pharmacologically, curcumin has been found to be safe. Human clinical trials indicated no dose-limiting toxicity when administered at doses up to 10 g/day. All of these studies suggest that curcumin has enormous potential in the prevention and therapy of cancer. The current review describes in detail the data supporting these studies. Curcumin, derived from turmeric (vernacular name: Haldi), is a rhizome of the plant Curcuma longa. The medicinal use of this plant has been documented in Ayurveda (the Indian

Anticancer potential of curcumin: preclinical and clinical studies.

Phenolics and polyphenolics in foods, beverages and spices: Antioxidant activity and health effects – A review

A wide array of phenolic substances, particularly those present in edible and medicinal plants, have been reported to possess substantial anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic activities. The majority of naturally occurring phenolics retain antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties which appear to contribute to their chemopreventive or chemoprotective activity. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inducible and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) are important enzymes that mediate inflammatory processes. Improper up-regulation of COX-2 and/or iNOS has been associated with pathophysiology of certain types of human cancers as well as inflammatory disorders. Since inflammation is closely linked to tumor promotion, substances with potent anti-inflammatory activities are anticipated to exert chemopreventive effects on carcinogenesis, particularly in the promotion stage. Examples are curcumin, a yellow pigment of turmeric (Curcuma longa L., Zingiberaceae), the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and resveratrol from grapes (Vitis vinifera, Vitaceae) that strongly suppress tumor promotion. Recent studies have demonstrated that eukaryotic transcription factor nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) is involved in regulation of COX-2 and iNOS expression. Several chemopreventive phytochemicals have been shown to inhibit COX-2 and iNOS expression by blocking improper NF-kappa B activation. Multiple lines of compelling evidence indicate that extracellular-regulated protein kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase are key elements of the intracellular signaling cascades responsible for NF-kappa B activation in response to a wide array of external stimuli. Curcumin, EGCG and resveratrol have been shown to suppress activation of NF-kappa B. One of the plausible mechanisms underlying inhibition of NF-kappa B activation by aforementioned phytochemicals involves repression of degradation of the inhibitory unit I kappa B alpha, which hampers subsequent nuclear translocation of the functionally active subunit of NF-kappa B.

Molecular mechanisms underlying chemopreventive activities of anti-inflammatory phytochemicals: down-regulation of COX-2 and iNOS through suppression of NF-kappa B activation.

Turmeric, derived from the plant Curcuma longa, is a gold-colored spice commonly used in the Indian subcontinent, not only for health care but also for the preservation of food and as a yellow dye for textiles. Curcumin, which gives the yellow color to turmeric, was first isolated almost two centuries ago, and its structure as diferuloylmethane was determined in 1910. Since the time of Ayurveda (1900 Bc) numerous therapeutic activities have been assigned to turmeric for a wide variety of diseases and conditions, including those of the skin, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal systems, aches, pains, wounds, sprains, and liver disorders. Extensive research within the last half century has proven that most of these activities, once associated with turmeric, are due to curcumin. Curcumin has been shown to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities and thus has a potential against various malignant diseases, diabetes, allergies, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and other chronic illnesses. These effects are mediated through the regulation of various transcription factors, growth factors, inflammatory cytokines, protein kinases, and other enzymes. Curcumin exhibits activities similar to recently discovered tumor necrosis factor blockers (e.g., HUMIRA, REMICADE, and ENBREL), a vascular endothelial cell growth factor blocker (e.g., AVASTIN), human epidermal growth factor receptor blockers (e.g., ERBITUX, ERLOTINIB, and GEFTINIB), and a HER2 blocker (e.g., HERCEPTIN). Considering the recent scientific bandwagon that multitargeted therapy is better than monotargeted therapy for most diseases, curcumin can be considered an ideal "Spice for Life".

Curcumin: The Indian solid gold

Toward a new recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C based on antioxidant and health effects in humans

https://doi.org/10.30574/gscbps.2022.19.3.0232 Abstract Abnormal thrombosis plays an important role in development of ischemic heart disease and stroke. Synthetic thrombolytic agents are effective but possess some adverse effects. Therefore, the need for development of comparatively safer anti-thrombotic drugs from natural resources such as plants arises. Capparis decidua Edgew. (Family – Capparaceae ) is a densely branched, xerophytic shrub and grows abundantly in arid and semiarid regions. Its fruits are major ingredient of the popular ‘Panchkuta’ vegetable of Rajasthan and also used to prepare pickle. Caper fruits are recommended for treatment of several diseases in traditional medicine including cardiac ailments and shown antioxidant and hypolipidemic potential in scientific studies and therefore, fruits of C. decidua were evaluated for their in vitro thrombolytic potential for the first time. Preliminary qualitative phytochemical screening of fruits of C. decidua ; purchased from local market of Udaipur has shown the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, phenol, phlobatanin, amino acids and carbohydrates and absence of saponin, tannins, steroids and cardiac glycosides. A significant percent clot lysis activity of 23.16±1.26 and 32.39±2.10 was exhibited by methanolic extracts (ME-I and ME-II) of fruits of C. decidua respectively as compared to the positive control streptokinase and negative control as distilled water. However, characterization of bioactive anti-thrombotic molecules as well as large scale, clinical studies is warranted to establish in vivo thrombolytic efficacy of its fruits. Thrombolytic potential of Caper berries as observed in the present study could be useful to recommend its consumption as a dietary health supplement in order to prevent from thrombotic cardiovascular and to determine the after by weight of having clot from weight of micro-centrifuge tube after clot lysis. Percent clot lysis was determined as: weight of clot after lysis / weight of clot × 100.

S K Verma

Papers

4.0. Qualitative phytochemical screening and in vitro thrombolytic activity of Capparis decidua Edgew.

Effect of Long - Acting Phosphodiesterase Type-5 Inhibitor - Tadalafil on Human Platelet Aggregation