Special Correspondent (Mumbai): Novel system uses turmeric to stop cancer cell growth. In Asian countries, turmeric has been using as an important ingredient in cooking food and also for many home remedies as it has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and bone-building capabilities.
Scientists say that the curcumin, important ingredient of turmeric can be used in new drug delivery which successfully inhibits the growth of bone cancer cells.
According to the research published in the journal ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, curcumin leads to better post post-operative treatments for people with osteosarcoma, the second most prevalent cause of cancer death in children.
High doses of chemotherapy after and before surgery of bone cancer have many harmful side effects like hair fall, constipation, diarrhea, mouth sores, skin and nail problems, etc.
Many of the diseases can be cured by consuming turmeric, the research said but when taken orally as medicine, the compound can’t be absorbed well in the body. It is metabolized and eliminated too quickly.
Susmita Bose, a professor at the Washington State University said “I want people to know the beneficial effects of these natural compounds. Natural biomolecules derived from these plant-based products are inexpensive and a safer alternative to synthetic drugs.”
Implants are made of ceramic scaffolds, like real bone and can be used as a graft material after bone cancer surgery. The researchers incorporated curcumin, encapsulated in a vesicle of fat molecules into the scaffolds, allowing for the gradual release of the chemical.
They found that their system inhibited the growth of osteosarcoma cells by 96 percent after 11 days as compared to untreated samples.
“This study introduces a replacement era of integration wherever trendy 3D printing technology is not to mention the safe and effective use of other drugs, which can offer an improved tool for bone tissue engineering,” aforesaid Satyendra Nath Bose.
