Positive Health Online

Abstract

ARBISER and colleagues, Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. jlarbiser@bics.bwh.harvard.edu investigated whether Curcumin is an inhibitor of angiogenesis.

Background

Curcumin is a small molecular weight compound, isolated from the spice turmeric. In animal models, curcumin and its derivatives have been shown to inhibit the progression of chemically induced colon and skin cancers. Carcinogenesis in these organs involves different genes, but curcumin is effective in preventing carcinogenesis in both organs. A possible explanation is that curcumin may inhibit angiogenesis.

Methodology

Curcumin was tested for its ability to inhibit the proliferation of primary endothelial cells in the presence and absence of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), as well as its ability to inhibit proliferation of an immortalised endothelial cell line. Curcumin and its derivatives were subsequently tested for their ability to inhibit bFGF-induced corneal neovascularization in the mouse cornea. Finally, curcumin was tested for its ability to inhibit phorbol ester-stimulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA production.

Results

Curcumin effectively inhibited endothelial cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Curcumin and its derivatives demonstrated significant inhibition of bFGF-mediated corneal neovascularization in the mouse. Curcumin had no effect on phorbol ester-stimulated VEGF production.

Conclusion

These results indicate that curcumin has direct antiangiogenic activity in vitro and in vivo. The activity of curcumin in inhibiting carcinogenesis in diverse organs such as the skin and colon may be mediated in part through angiogenesis inhibition.

References

Arbiser JL et al. Curcumin is an in vivo inhibitor of angiogenesis. Molecular Medicine 4(6): 376-83. June 1998.

Comment

These are extremely interesting results; it will be exciting to see if these effects are replicated in humans.