Curcumin
Curcumin (English: diferuloylmethane is an active compound found in turmeric, a polyphenol with the chemical formula C21H20O6. Tautomer Curcumin has two forms: the ketone and enol. Ketone structure is more dominant in solid form, while the enol structures found in liquid form. Compounds derived from curcumin called curcuminoids, which there are only two kinds, namely-desmetoksikurkumin desmetoksikurkumin and buses.
Curcumin is a compound that interacts with boric acid produces a red compound called rososiania.
Curcumin is known for antitumor and antioxidant properties it possesses, in addition to many medical uses such as;
- protect the nerves, reduce the risk of brain inflammation and restore vasospasma energy homeostasis in brain systems disrupted by injury or trauma.
- prevent and reduce the buildup of amyloid-beta plaques in Alzheimer’s.
- protect the liver, among others, from hemangioendotelioma, hepatokarsinoma, Hepatitis B.
- protect the pancreas from the effects of excessive sitokina ratio, even after transplantation, and decreased resistance to insulin and leptin
- protect Leydig cells from the influence of alcohol.
- reduce inflammation in adipose tissue.
other than that curcumin also:
- 2.3-dioksigenase indoleamina inhibits an enzyme that play a role in the degradation of tryptophan in dendritic cells stimulated by LPS or interferon, and inhibit mature dendritic cells. Oksigenase siklo-2 expression induced by LPS and prostaglandin E2 production will increase, and resulted in de-expression of molecules CD80, CD86 and MHC I and inhibits the production of IL-12 p70 sitokina and TNF-?.
- inhibit angiogenesis.
- nhibits COX and LO path at eikosanoid metabolism. Curcumin is very effective to inhibit cancer cell growth, such as breast cancer, but indicate the nature toxic to human stem cell culture.
COX deficiency can lead to Leigh syndrome, SCO2 (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), SCO1 (liver failure, coma ketoacidosis), and COX10 (encephalopathy, tubulopathy).
Curcumin Clinical Trials
A clinical trial that is not so great has been done in the country to see the benefits of curcumin in improving liver function. This study involved approximately 38 patients with liver disorders or have a value of ALT and AST above the normal of the five areas (Bogor, Bandung, Semarang, Solo, Surabaya, Palembang and Jakarta). Patients given a combination of curcumin 25 mg, 100 mg of essential phospholipid, and vitamin E 100 mg. This study using the method of seeding trial or without comparison. Observations were carried out by approximately 20 researchers in the period from July to December 1998.
The parameter used is the value of ALT and AST. ALT is an enzyme produced by hepatocytes, there are many types of cells in the liver. ALT levels in the blood will increase with damage to the hepatocytes cells that can happen because of infection with hepatitis viruses, alcohol, drugs that induce damage hepatocytes, and other reasons such as shock or drug toxicity.
ALT values are considered normal is 0-35 units per liter (u / l). Increasing the value of 50 times the normal ALT indicates low blood flow to the liver, hepatitis, or liver cell damage caused by the drug / chemical compounds such as CCl4. Increasing the value of mild to moderate ALT can be caused by hepatitis, cirrhosis, cancer of the liver and alcohol. Sometimes in cirrhosis only occurs 2-4 times increase in ALT values than the normal value.
While AST widely found in many organs of the heart, liver, skeletal muscle, pancreas, lungs, red blood cells and brain cells. When cells are damaged organs, the AST will be released in the blood. The result will be seen when measuring the correlation magnitude or severity of cells that occurs. AST normal values ranged from 3-45 units per liter (u / l). Increasing the value of AST may be caused by hepatitis C. In acute hepatitis, the increase could occur up to 20 times their normal values.
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The study shows, based on statistical calculations, there is a decrease of SGOT and SGPT values are significant. After 14 days of therapy, AST impairment of the patients reached up to 2.89 times, while for SGPT reached 3.28 times compared to before treatment. The results did not differ significantly also found in individuals who suffer from hepatitis and non-hepatitis. Hepatitis patients decreased SGOT and SGPT were 3.48 times as much as 3.82 times, compared to before treatment. Meanwhile in the individual non-infectious hepatitis, there is a decrease of SGOT and SGPT approximately 1.91 times as much as 2.15 times.
Digging Other Benefits
Until now, many studies have been conducted to trying to drink another benefit of this precious tuber. Studies are being intensively conducted to see the benefits of curcumin as an anti tumor to treat cancer. Numerous reports indicate, kurkumoid including curcumin has kemopreventif and curative activity against cancer. These studies are generally conducted on laboratory animals with different route of administration and tested with the system in vitro. However, few studies have also begun to do recently in humans.
Another benefit is also being targeted by curcumin is inhibition of the replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A study shows that curcumin inhibits cell fusion stage of the virus in HIV replication cycle. Various studies being conducted to find a bright spot. If all clinically proven, then the plants containing curcumin will get richer benefits. And Indonesia would also be happy, because the plant is a native of Mother Earth.
Please read other article about Curcuma or Herbal Remedies.
