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Curcuminoids have been found to have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antimutagen, anticancer and detox properties. The present invention is directed to compositions containing three curcuminoids, i.e. curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin, extracted from roots of tumeric. These compositions have been found to have dual-pronged antioxidant action, viz., preventing the formation of free radicals as well as intervening in their propagation. As most degenerative disease conditions are attributed to free radical chain reactions, the role of curcuminoids in health maintenance is becoming increasingly relevant. Curcuminoids are recognized for their broad biological activity and safety of use. The biological activity of curcuminoids can best be described by the word "protective". Many of the anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive properties of curcumin may be related to the unique antioxidant properties of curcuminoids. It should be noted that some other natural antioxidants, which have been screened together with curcuminoids for biological activity, do not offer combined prevention and intervention action, with reference to free radical mediated reactions.Prevention and intervention result in the totality of protective qualities. Since curcuminoids may protect the integrity of biological systems by preventing the free-radical assault and by intervening to stop the assault, it is proposed that curcuminoids and any similarly acting compounds be classed as a "bioprotectant". |
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A method of inhibiting the activation of the NF.kappa.B transcription factor in an animal in need of such treatment is claimed to be achieved by a pharmacologically effective dose of curcumin. A method of inhibiting the nuclear translocation of the p65 sub unit of the NF.kappa.B transcription factor in a cell using curcumin is also provided.
A patent titled "Use of turmeric in wound healing" dated March 1995 (US5401504), generated much controversy and was withdrawn in 1997, based on the fact that the patent infringed on "prior art", the traditional use of turmeric for this purpose.
The vast volume of recent research on curcuminoids further emphasizes the role of these common dietary constituents in health maintenance. The antioxidant properties of these phytonutrients which are manifested in their bioprotective and chemopreventive effects summarized in this booklet, lend credence to their use in the prevention of chronic diseases. Their clinical use is further validated by the fact that turmeric and curcumin were found to be better anti-tumor agents when administered in the post-initiation phase of carcinogenesis in animal model studies. In view of these results, the role of curcuminoids as dietary supplements assumes greater importance. |
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