Curcumin and its anticancerogenic effects: Bioavailability might be key [28.06.20]
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer and claims many lives every year. The formation of colorectal tumors is complex, but it is understood that inflammatory processes play a major role. Curcumin, a compound of the spice turmeric, in several studies has already proven to be a promising active ingredient against inflammatory diseases and tumor development. However, poor bioavailability, i.e. low absorption of the agent via the intestine, has so far been a major limitation in curcumin research. In a current mouse study, scientists from the Universities of Hohenheim and Mainz have investigated the anticarcinogenic effects of curcumin. In order to boost bioavailability, curcumin was embedded in special molecule complexes known as micelles. Administration of such highly bioavailable curcumin was associated with reduced formation of colorectal carcinomas. The authors consider the observed effect promising and are going to extend and detail the results in further studies.
Picture credit: https://pixabay.com/de/photos/kurkuma-neem-pokal-löffel-5289433/
Original Paper
Seiwert, N., Fahrer, J., Nagel, G., Frank, J., Behnam, D., Kaina, B., 2020. Curcumin Administered as Micellar Solution Suppresses Intestinal Inflammation and Colorectal Carcinogenesis. Nutrition and Cancer 0, 1–8. doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2020.1771384
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers and preventive strategies based on natural compounds are highly desirable. Curcumin, the principal bioactive compound in Curcuma longa, was described to have multiple beneficial health effects. A drawback, however, is the low bioavailability due to its insolubility in water. Here, we studied whether nanoscaled micellar curcumin with improved bioavailability administered in drinking water reduces inflammation and CRC formation in a mouse model. C57BL6 wild-type (WT) mice and a strain defective in the DNA repair enzyme O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) were used, in which tumors were induced by azoxymethane (AOM) followed by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Inflammation and tumor formation were determined by mini-colonoscopy. Micellar curcumin (mCur) administered in drinking water significantly reduced AOM/DSS-induced colorectal inflammation in both WT and MGMT-deficient mice as compared to animals receiving drinking water with micelles not containing curcumin. In line with this, the tumor yield and tumor score were significantly lower in mCur-treated mice compared to the control group. No adverse effects were observed in animals receiving mCur daily for at least three months. Overall, our data show that chronic oral administered micellar curcumin is well tolerated and reduces chemical-induced gut inflammation and CRC formation in mice.
