Turmeric 'can kill cancer cells'
Turmeric may be used in the treatment of gullet cancer
A chemical found in the curry spice turmeric can kill oesophageal cancer cells, according to new research.
Scientists at University College Cork (UCC) in Ireland found that curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, began killing oesophageal cancer cells within 24 hours of being applied under laboratory conditions.
The results, which are published in the British Medical Journal today (28th October), also show that cancer cells which are usually resistant to chemotherapy were actually very sensitive to curcumin.
Dr Sharon McKenna, lead researcher on the study at the Cork Cancer Research Centre in UCC, told the Irish Times that there is great potential for the yellow spice to be developed as an agent to treat oesophageal cancer.
But the scientist warned against eating lots of curries, adding: "A curry contains a lot of other heavy spices that would not necessarily be good for you at all. When you eat it, you are not applying it directly to the cancer cells as we were in the laboratory."
Each year around 7,800 British people are diagnosed with oesophageal cancer, according to UK charity Cancer Research.
Curcumin, which has long been thought to have healing powers, is already being used in the treatment of arthritis and dementia.
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