Curcumin is the yellow pigment found in the Indian spice curry. It has anti-inflammatory, ant-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and wound healing properties. It is widely used in industry for its flavor as a spice and as a coloring agent because of its brilliant yellow color. It is also used as a dye for textiles and as an additive to cosmetics. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the sentinels of the immune system and functions as the bridge between the innate and adaptive immune response. The effect of curcumin on DCs is poorly understood. A study shows curcumin prevents the immuno-stimulatory function of bone marrow-derived murine DCs, but no study examines the effects on human DCs. This study investigates the effects of curcumin on immature human DC maturation and function in response to immune stimulants lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C). Human CD14+ monocytes isolated from the peripheral blood of donors are cultured with GM-CSF and IL-4 supplemented media to generate immature DCs. The cultures are treated with curcumin, stimulated with the above mentioned stimulants then functional assays performed. These assays include homotypic cluster formation, surface marker expression, cytokine production, chemotaxis, endocytosis, DC-induced allogeneic CD4+ T cell proliferation after mixed lymphocyte reaction, gene expression analysis and immuno-fluorescence labeling and imaging. Curcumin-induced changes in gene expression indicate the actin cytoskeleton signaling pathway is a target. Immuno-fluorescence labeling and imaging of f-actin was carried out. Curcumin reduces DC maturation in response to the stimulants used in the study. Expression of surface markers, cytokines and chemokines is reduced as well as DC-induced stimulation of allogeneic CD4+ cells after MLR. Curcumin prevents chemotaxis without affecting chemokine receptor expression and significantly reduces endocytosis in non-stimulated cells. Curcumin-treated DCs do not induce a Th1 or Th2 population in allogeneic MLR but induces a CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory cell population. Immuno-fluorescence imaging shows curcumin causes the cell to become more rounded. These data imply that curcumin inhibits f-actin polymerization and thereby prevents DC maturation and function in response to stimulation. This outlines a novel role for curcumin as an immune suppressant and shows its therapeutic potential as an anti-inflammatory agent.

 Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue has a low survival rate, with cure rate reduced by half if cervical lymph node metastasis is present. Standard treatment regimen includes surgical resection of the tumor, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. These treatment modalities, however, can result in irreversible side effects including loss of form and function of the tongue. So far, there is no efficient treatment regime targeting migration and invasion of tongue carcinoma. Curcumin is a natural polyphenol extracted from Curcuma longa. Recent studies indicated that curcumin is a potential anti-cancer agent. The anticancer effects have been demonstrated in numerous cancers including lung cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and melanoma. In head and neck cancers, the number studies is limited and its inhibitory effects in migration and invasion is rarely explored. To explore the global expression changes in tongue cancer, we used microarray to evaluate the genes responsive to curcumin treatment and focused on genes related to migration and invasion of tongue cancer cell line HN21B. The genes down-regulated by curcumin were validated in HN21B and two other tongue cancer cell line CAL27 and HN96 using qRT-PCR, Western blotting and immunostaining. The identified genes were quantified in tongue carcinoma tissues to examine whether it was up-regulated in human tongue tissues. Scratch wound assay and radial-migration assay were used to assess the degree of inhibition on migration. Adhesion and invasion assays were also performed to assess the adhesion and invasion ability. Transcriptomic analyses showed that MMP-10 was 2.36 fold down-regulated in HN21B in response to curcumin. Curcumin treatment resulted in down-regulation of MMP-10 gene in all the 3 tongue carcinoma cell lines at mRNA and protein levels. Out of 24 tongue carcinoma cases, 55% tumor tissue had obvious up-regulation of MMP-10 expression in comparison with the normal counterpart. Adhesion, migration and invasion ability of tongue carcinoma cell lines was significantly reduced upon IC50 of curcumin treatment in all TSCC cell lines. In conclusion, our results indicated that curcumin could reduce migration, adhesion and invasion in tongue carcinoma cells partly through reducing MMP-10 expression. Further investigations are warranted to explore the potential therapeutic use of curcumin to inhibit migration and invasion of tongue carcinoma cells. / published_or_final_version / Surgery / Master / Master of Philosophy

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) and turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) produce important pharmacologically active metabolites at high levels, which include terpenoids and polyketides such as curcumin and gingerols. This dissertation describes the terpenoids produced by ginger and turmeric, candidate ESTs for terpene synthases, and the cloning and expression of several terpene synthases. A comparison of metabolite profiles, microarray results and EST data enable us to predict which terpene synthases are related with the production of specific terpenoids. Analysis of EST data further suggests several genes important for the growth and development of rhizomes. Ginger and turmeric accumulate important pharmacologically active metabolites at high levels in their rhizomes. Comparisons of ginger and turmeric EST data to publicly available sorghum rhizome ESTs revealed a total of 777 contigs common to ginger, turmeric and sorghum rhizomes but absent from other tissues. The list of rhizome-specific contigs was enriched for genes associated with regulation of tissue growth, development, and regulation of transcription. The analysis suggests ethylene response factors, AUX/IAA proteins, and rhizome-enriched MADS box transcription factors may play important roles in defining rhizome growth and development. From ginger and turmeric, 25 mono- and 16 sesquiterpene synthase sequences were cloned and the function of 13 mono- and 11 sesquiterpene synthases were revealed. There are many paralogs in the ginger and turmeric terpene synthase family, some of which have the same or similar function. However some paralogs have diverse functions and this suggests the evolution of terpene synthases in ginger and turmeric. Importantly, α-zingiberene/β-sesquiphellandrene synthase was identified, which makes the substrates for α-turmerone and β-turmerone production in turmeric. Also P450 candidates for α- zingiberene/β-sesquiphellandrene oxidase are proposed. Research involving analysis of metabolite profiles requires the manipulation of a large datasets, such as those produced by GC/MS. We developed an approach to identify compounds that involves deconvolution of peaks obtained using SICs as well as common peak selections between samples even though the peaks may be very small and represent unknown compounds. The limitation of this approach occurs when there are huge peaks in the samples, which distort the SIC of small embedded peaks and sometimes their own SICs.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-124) Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1997. / Bibliography: leaves 50-51.

El Perú cuenta con más del 70% de personas adultas que sufren de obesidad, esto a consecuencia de la falta de cuidado de su salud y de una dieta balanceada. El país cuenta con alimentos ricos en nutrientes y proteínas, de los cuales no aprovechamos ni conocemos. Uno de ellos, es la cúrcuma, identificado como un importante antinflamatorio, antioxidante, además, cuenta con propiedades anticancerígenas. Esto combinado con el potente efecto de la miel, hace que obtengamos un producto en beneficio para la salud. Es por eso, el presente trabajo de investigación se ha basado en proponer una opción adicional a las del mercado para complementar una dieta saludable. / Peru has more than 70% of adults suffering from obesity, this is a consequence of the lack of health care and a balanced diet. The country has foods rich in nutrients and proteins, which we do not take advantage of or know about. One of them, is turmeric, identified as an important anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, also has anti-cancer properties. This combined with the powerful effect of honey, makes us obtain a product in health benefit. That is why, the present research work has been based on proposing an additional option to those of the market to complement a healthy diet. / Trabajo de investigación

PROBLEM: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a top three leading cause of death among western countries. Epidemiological evidence shows a positive correlation between western diet, which consists of high-fat, meat and processed foods. Positive correlations indicate that diets high in fruits and vegetables could greatly decrease risk of CRC. Specifically the ubiquitous spice, turmeric, and its main active constituent have been broadly researched to determine its efficacy in the treatment and prevention of CRC. RESULTS: Curcumin proves to be effective in the treatment and prevention of CRC. It acts as a chemosensitizer for chemotherapeutics which increases their effectiveness especially against chemoresistant CRC cell lines. In many in vitro studies curcumin has inhibited critical pathways involved in CRC progression such as Wnt/β-catenin and sonic hedgehog pathway. Curcumin can also act as a ligand for VDR, which is significant because high vitamin D intake is associated with a decreased risk of CRC. In vivo, curcumin has minimized tumor growth in animal models. In clinical trials curcumin proves to be a naturally derived, non-toxic agent. CONCLUSION: Curcumin and turmeric should be further studied for its use against CRC, specifically its use in nanotechnology and NDDS as either a stand-alone nutraceutical or a chemosensitizer. Additionally, it would likely be advantageous to prescribe turmeric in the diet in combination with black pepper, heat, and oil (which increases its bioavailability) in patients at high risk of developing CRC.

Turmeric polar extract (TPE) was obtained by dielectric-precipitation of turmeric slurry and found to contain three proteins with two in the 10-11 KDa range being dominant. Antioxidative activity and persistence (AP) of TPE (5%, w/v) respectively showed 87% and 85% greater generation of alkoxy- and peroxyl radicals compared the non-redox-active buffer alone showing significant (p<0.05) pro-oxidative behavior. Conversely, purified curcumin (CU) (0.1% w/v) was dramatically antioxidative with AA and AP values of 2,828 and 1,129%, respectively, compared to the blank. However, a combination of the two at the same concentration dropped these values to 590 and 389%, respectively, reflecting dramatic dampening of the efficacy of CU. Ultraviolet radiation significantly modulated the efficacy of CU where UVB (300 nm) exposure gave the highest enhancement when limited to five min. Data showed that turmeric contains highly pro-oxidant polar proteins that significantly dramatically diminishes the beneficial antioxidative efficacy of its principal phytochemical, CU.

BACKGROUND: Turmeric is a root with curcumin and non-curcumin derivatives that serve as antioxidants, which reduce the risk of oxidative stress-induced chronic disease. The provision of health information has shown to increase the acceptability of functional foods that impart unfamiliar flavors. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acceptability and sensory qualities of a functional beverage with fresh turmeric, and the impact of information related to the beverage's health benefits on acceptability. This study also investigated personal and psychological factors associated with food acceptance. METHODS: Antioxidant capacity (ferrous equivalents) and polyphenolic content were evaluated in a fruit-based beverage containing 0g, 7g, 14g, and 22g of fresh turmeric. Sixty-one individuals were recruited to participate in a sensory evaluation of two fruit-based beverages with and without fresh turmeric. Thirty-one participants were given health information related to the beverage and 30 participants received no health information. The degree of liking was measured on a hedonic scale and sensory attributes were measured using a Just About Right (JAR) scale. Food choice motives and demographic characteristics were measured using a Food Choice Questionnaire and demographics questionnaire. RESULTS: The development of a functional beverage with 14 grams of turmeric was considered significantly more acceptable with the provision of health information and resulted in a significant increase in antioxidant capacity and polyphenolic content. There was a significant difference in acceptability scores of the functional beverage across antioxidant interest groups and health motivation groups. / Master of Science / Turmeric is a root composed of antioxidants, which reduce the risk of certain diseases. The provision of health information has shown to positively impact the overall liking of functional foods containing unfamiliar flavors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the overall liking and sensory qualities of a functional beverage with fresh turmeric, and the impact of information related to the beverage’s health benefits on acceptability. This study also investigated personal and psychological factors associated with food acceptance. Antioxidant capacity and polyphenolic content were evaluated in a fruit-based beverage containing 0g, 7g, 14g, and 22g of fresh turmeric. Sixty-one individuals were recruited to participate in a sensory evaluation of two fruit-based beverages with and without fresh turmeric. Thirty-one participants were given health information related to the beverage and 30 participants received no health information. The degree of liking was measured on hedonic scale and sensory attributes were measured using a Just About Right (JAR) scale. Food choice motives and demographic characteristics were measured using a Food Choice Questionnaire and demographics questionnaire. The functional beverage with 14 grams of turmeric was considered significantly more acceptable with the provision of health information and resulted in a significant increase in antioxidant capacity and polyphenolic content. There was a significant difference in acceptability scores of the functional beverage across antioxidant interest groups and health motivation groups.

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban University of Technology, 2011. / Introduction The purpose of this study was to determine the therapeutic potential of Curcuma longa 30CH when administered to healthy individuals, thus revealing the materia medica of the substance. It was also the aim of this study to compare the existing therapeutic indications of the substance to the proving symptomatology. Methodology The proving took the form of a double-blind placebo controlled study and was conducted by two Master’s in Technology: Homoeopathy students using 30 healthy subjects. Twenty four provers were given the active medication and six provers were given the placebo. The remedy was manufactured according to the German Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia in 30CH potency. The proving ran for a period of six weeks. Results The symptoms extracted from the proving were placed in different sections according to the repertory and was compared to the Ayurvedic and Phytotherapeutic indications of Curcuma longa. There were 202 symptoms produced as a result of the remedy, 141 rubrics were formulated using these symptoms. The largest number of rubrics i ii was allocated to the mind, head and dreams section of the repertory, other smaller sections of prominence included the eye, ear, nose and throat sections. A wealth of information was gained once the comparison was made between Curcuma longa 30CH and the Phytotherapeutic and Ayurvedic indications of use. Similarities between the materia medica of Curcuma longa and the Phytotherapeutic indications of use were found to exist with respect to sections such as eye, nose, face, stomach, stool, respiration, back, extremities, skin and generals. Conclusion The administration of Curcuma longa 30C to healthy provers according to the methodological protocol of this study resulted in the production of a variety of defined proving symptoms which comprise the materia medica thereof (first objective of the study). The subsequent comparison of the proving symptoms with the existing indications of Turmeric as an Ayurvedic and Phytotherapeutic medicine (second objective of the study) revealed clear correlations in a variety of defined areas.