Introduction

Although science has led to remarkable additions to our repertoire of drugs, it is estimated that 80% of the World population cannot afford the current treatment for their diseases. For many modern medicines their benefits are outweighed by their toxic side effects. Thus treatments that are safer, more effective, and cheaper are needed. The mechanisms of action of traditional medicines are shrouded in mystery, even though they have been used for thousand of years: neither the active components nor their molecular targets have been very well identified. Curcumin, a yellow component of turmeric or curry powder, however, is an exception. Almost 2000 papers have been published on the subject. Its mechanism of action can be compared to inhibitors of cyclooxygenase-2 (Celebrex), HER2 (Herceptin), TNF (Enbrel, Humira, Remicade), EGFR (Erbitux and Iressa), and vascular endothelial cell growth factor (Avastin), all of which have been approved for human use by the FDA. There is one big difference, however: curcumin as a single agent can down regulate every one of these targets, making it more likely to be effective against the targeted disease. Thus curcumin regulates multiple targets (multitargeted therapy) and is inexpensive. Centuries of use as a dietary agent have demonstrated its safety; as an added reassurance, human clinical trials of curcumin have shown it to be safe. For further proof of concept, please follow the journey on this website.

Curcumin is an active component of turmeric (Curcuma longa), used as a spice and as an Ayurvedic medicine for centuries on the Indian subcontinent. Curcumin has been shown to suppress carcinogenesis of the skin, liver, lung, colon, stomach, and breast. It has also been shown to inhibit the proliferation of a wide variety of tumor cells in culture and promote apoptosis through Bid cleavage, cytochrome C release, caspase-9 activation and then caspase-3 activation. Curcumin has been shown to lower blood cholesterol, promote wound healing, prevent skin wrinkling, inhibit inflammation, suppress rheumatoid arthritis, and inhibit human immunodeficiency virus replication. Curcumin mediates this wide variety of therapeutic effects through the regulation of the transcription factors nuclear factor-kappa B and activator protein, suppression of IκBα kinase and c-jun N-terminal kinase, and inhibition of expression of cyclooxygenase 2, cyclinD1, adhesion molecules, matrix metalloproteases, inducible nitric oxide synthase, HER2, epithelial growth factor receptor, bcl-2, bcl-xl, and tumor necrosis factor. Pharmacologically, curcumin is quite safe, and doses as high as 8 g/day have been administered orally to humans with no side effects. Numerous therapeutic activities as outlined above, its pharmacological safety and its color qualifies curcumin as “Indian solid gold"