Turmeric News and Research

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Turmeric, a shrub related to ginger, is grown throughout India, other parts of Asia, and Africa. Known for its warm, bitter taste and golden color, turmeric is commonly used in fabric dyes and foods such as curry powders, mustards, and cheeses.

In traditional Chinese medicine turmeric has been used to aid digestion and liver function, relieve arthritis pain, and regulate menstruation. Turmeric has also been applied directly to the skin for eczema and wound healing. Today, turmeric is used for conditions such as heartburn, stomach ulcers, and gallstones. It is also used to reduce inflammation, as well as to prevent and treat cancer.

Dietary supplements taken for 'heart health' unlikely to offer meaningful impact on cholesterol levels

Six widely used dietary supplements promoted for improving heart health did not effectively lower LDL or "bad" cholesterol in comparison to a common low-dose statin medication or placebo, according to late breaking science results presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2022.

7 Nov 2022

Rosuvastatin vastly superior to six common heart health supplements

Six widely used dietary supplements often advertised to promote heart health are actually ineffective at lowering cholesterol levels.

7 Nov 2022

The risk of adverse reactions when herbal medications are taken with cancer drugs

A new study discusses phytovigilance initiatives based on the real-world use of herbal drugs in cancer along with conventional chemotherapy.

24 Aug 2022

Novel oral nano-in-micro system provides efficient curcumin delivery to alleviate ulcerative colitis

A new study showed that the newly designed oral nano-in-micro hydrogel delivery platform could be efficiently used to deliver curcumin for the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis.

5 Jul 2022

Curcumin released from magnetic hydrogels promotes the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor

A finding by UC Riverside bioengineers could hasten development of lab-grown blood vessels and other tissues to replace and regenerate damaged tissues in human patients. The results are published in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces.

6 Apr 2022

In silico identification of novel curcumin derivatives as potential inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 enzymes

Researchers identified curcumin derivatives as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 enzymes.

16 Mar 2022

SARS-CoV-2 cytokine storm inhibited by curcumin nanoparticles

In a recent study published in the journal ACS Applied Bio Materials, researchers demonstrated the inhibitory potential of curcumin-encapsulated polysaccharide nanoparticles (CUR−PS-NPs) against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein (CoV2-SP)-stimulated cytokine storm in lung and liver epithelial cells.

8 Feb 2022

Exploring the potential utility of calcium channel inhibitors in SARS-CoV-2 infection

In a new study, researchers discuss the role of calcium signaling pathways as targets of inhibition in potential new antiviral therapeutic pathways for SARS-CoV-2.

20 Jan 2022

Curcumin, a bioactive component of turmeric, effectively neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

The researchers investigated the neutralizing activity of turmeric root extract, curcumin-containing capsules, and pure curcumin against SARS-CoV-2.

1 Nov 2021

$50,000 grant to help explore the use of turmeric for reducing joint pain in breast cancer patients

UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center received a $50,000 grant from the Safeway Foundation to explore the use of the South Asian spice Turmeric as a way of reducing joint pain in breast cancer patients being treated with anti-estrogen drugs.

16 Jul 2021

Component derived from turmeric essential oil exhibits neuroprotective effects

Researchers from Kumamoto University, Japan have found that a component derived from turmeric essential oil, aromatic turmerone (ar-turmerone), and its derivatives act directly on dopaminergic nerves to create a neuroprotective effect on tissue cultures of a Parkinson's disease model.

14 Jul 2021

Novel cold-tolerant bacterium produces a red bio-pigment with germ-killing properties

A team of researchers from Shoolini University, Himachal Pradesh, India have discovered a psychrophilic bacterial strain, called Rhodonellum psychrophilum GL8, at the high altitude Pangong Tso Lake in the Himalayas.

12 Jul 2021

Mustard seed, wall rocket and turmeric extracts show potential against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

Researchers in Spain have identified plant extracts that may be of interest in the search for treatments of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and serve as a basis for future chemical, in vivo, and clinical trials.

1 Jul 2021

Natural products show promise against COVID-19 via iron chelation

Researchers at the University of Catania in Italy investigated whether natural compounds could prevent disease progression. Their study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that iron chelators and protease inhibitors can counteract SARS-CoV-2 infection.

7 Jun 2021

New scientific evidence supports the health benefits of superfoods

Researchers will be presenting their findings at the NUTRITION 2021 LIVE ONLINE conference on the science behind the health benefits of certain superfoods.

4 Jun 2021

Natural products a rich source for novel antiviral compounds

In a recent review in the journal Viruses, researchers look at natural products that can be identified as potential alternative antiviral agents. The reviewers discussed the antiviral activities of several natural products towards DNA and RNA viruses with an analytical approach. The researchers detailed the cellular/viral targets of the active molecules and their impact on the infection and viral replication cycle.

10 May 2021

City of Hope initiates Phase 2 clinical trial to investigate if mushroom tablets could slow prostate cancer

City of Hope, a world-renowned independent research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases, is now recruiting patients for a Phase 2 clinical trial to investigate whether pills containing white button mushroom extract could regulate the immune system, affecting prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels to either remain stable or decline.

29 Apr 2021

Curcumin nanosystems could be powerful COVID-19 therapeutics

With new variants of SARS-CoV-2 emerging, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. While the global vaccine rollout has moved at an impressive speed, the search for new safe, effective, and targeted therapies is still on. Now, a new study reviews the potential for curcumin, a natural alkaloid derived from turmeric, and nanosystems to treat COVID-19.

16 Apr 2021

Researchers create edible food films for packaging a variety of food products

An international group of scientists from India and Russia has created edible food films for packaging fruits, vegetables, poultry, meat, and seafood. Films consist of natural ingredients, they are safe for health and the environment.

23 Mar 2021

Polyphenols may provide protective effect against COVID-19 disease

In the study published in the journal Integrative Physiology, the researchers found that a high intake of polyphenols may have a protective effect on patients with COVID-19 and prevent disease progression.

22 Feb 2021