Source: Natural News |
New studies show that turmeric can do what chemotherapy can not - kill multiple myeloma cells |
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A breakthrough has been achieved in the treatment of multiple myeloma, an aggressive form of cancer that forms in the plasma cells in the bone marrow.
Researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) have recently discovered that combining turmeric with molecules of thalidomide, an anti-nausea drug, the active substance of turmeric known as curcumin becomes capable of targeted killing of multiple myeloma cells in a natural way.
The discovery was made by Shijun Zhang, assistant professor in the department of medical chemistry in pharmaceutical school at VCU, and his colleagues after experimenting with these two ingredients.
Their purpose was to develop a more powerful form of medical turmeric.
It seems that certain molecules contained in the thalidomide are useful for enhancing the effect of turmeric, without causing any harm to the patients.
Using this process, which basically crosses the molecules from these two substances to create a unique main compound, the researchers managed to develop a type of "super" turmeric, which is a very potent anti-cancer drug.
The remaining components of thalidomide dissolve and are eliminated from the body.
"Although thalidomide interferes with the microenvironment of tumor cells in the bone marrow, it breaks down in the body. Curcumin, also active against cancer, is limited by its low solubility in water. However, the combination of thalidomide and curcumin within the hybrid molecule enhances both cytotoxicity and solubility” – said Zhang.
The exploitation of natural resources of medicinal plants is the future of sustainable medicine
Hybrid molecules that exploit the natural healing properties of herbs and spices, such as turmeric, are receiving more attention.
Seeing that the conventional medicine is failing to provide the right solutions for today's most serious diseases, progressive researchers and healers are seeking new ways of treatment.
As for the medical potential of turmeric, dr. Grant and his colleagues managed to create more than 15 different hybrid compounds that perform different anticancer functions.
Among others, two hybrid compounds numbered 5 and 7 have demonstrated the improved activity, effectively inducing the death of multiple myeloma cells.
"The combination of spices and medicinal herbs produced much better results than each molecule individually. This new method will lead to the creation of new compounds with improved biological activity," says dr. Steven Grant, MD, one of the researchers in the study.
"The benefits include an increased power, a reduced risk of developing drug resistance, a reduced cost and a better compliance with the therapy."
"The results are encouraging and encourage further optimization of compounds 5 and 7 to develop more potent natural compounds for the treatment of multiple myeloma," adds dr. Grant.
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