Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has been shown to be effective in medical trials as a potential treatment against different types of cancer. A new study, reported by an Indian news source, indicates that curcumin could form the basis of a new way to fight cervical cancer.
According to Zee News, researchers at the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI) in Kolkata announced that a new method, which involves curcumin, could be used to stop the Human Papiloma Virus (HPV), which is strongly believed to be the root cause of many cases of cervical cancer. While more investigation is needed, the scientists, led by Partha Basu, remain enthusiastic about their results.
The team used two methods of delivery for the curcumin-based treatment. One was a topical cream and the other was a capsulated pill. In a statement, Basu indicated that some of the patients exhibited positive outcomes.
"A total of 280 women were given the local application of curcumin and were regularly followed up. The rest of the women were not given any form of curcumin, for comparison," he said. "It was found that those who took curcumin, quickly healed from HPV infection and further infection stopped."
Basu went on to suggest that, as a cream, the treatment method is more effective because it reaches affected sites of the body faster. The CNCI team is currently pursuing a commercial medicine approval from the Indian government, although more follow-up research would be required.
This story highlights the continued wonders presented by curcumin. You can learn more about curcumin by clicking here.