The medicinal uses of Curcumin (also called turmeric) have been known and described for more than 5000 years. A large body of recent research suggests that curcumin is potentially useful in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, through modulation of numerous molecular targets. This is the first monograph to focus on the potential use of curcumin in the treatment of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, psoriasis and more.
The plant-derived polyphenol curcumin has been used in promoting health and combating disease for thousands of years. Its therapeutic effects have been successfully utilized in Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine in order to treat inflammatory diseases. Current results from modern biomolecular research reveal the modulatory effects of curcumin on a variety of signal transduction pathways associated with inflammation and cancer. In this context, curcumin’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumorigenic, and even anti-metastatic activities are discussed. On the cellular level, the reduced activity of several transcription factors (such as NFkB or AP-1) and the suppression of inflammatory cytokines, matrix degrading enzymes, metastasis related genes and even microRNAs are reported. On functional levels, these molecular effects translate into reduced proliferative, invasive, and metastatic capacity, as well as induced tumor cell apoptosis. All these effects have been observed not only in vitro but also in animal models. In combination with anti-neoplastic drugs like Taxol, kinase inhibitors, and radiation therapy, curcumin potentiates the drugs’ therapeutic power and can protect against undesired side effects. Natural plant-derived compounds like curcumin have one significant advantage: They do not usually cause side effects. This feature qualifies curcumin for primary prevention in healthy persons with a predisposition to cancer, arteriosclerosis, or chronic inflammatory diseases. Nonetheless, curcumin is considered safe, although potential toxic effects stemming from high dosages, long-term intake, and pharmacological interactions with other compounds have yet to be assessed. This Special Issue examines in detail and updates current research on the molecular targets, protective effects, and modes of action of natural plant-derived compounds and their roles in the prevention and treatment of human diseases.
With mounting evidence regarding the role of poor nutrition in the development of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, it is no secret that appropriate nutrition is crucial to optimal health. Achieving the correct balance of elements provides the body with the ability to adapt to a shifting and often hazardous environment. Never is
A vast majority of the world’s population lacks access to essential medicines and the provision of safe healthcare services. Medicinal plants and herbal medicines can be applied for pharmacognosy, or the discovery of new drugs, or as an aid for plant physiology studies. In recent years, there has been increased interest in the search for new chemical entities and the expression of resistance of many drugs available in the market has led to a shift in paradigm towards medicinal research. Herbal treatments, the most popular form of folk medicine, may become an important way of increasing access to healthcare services. Advanced Pharmacological Uses of Medicinal Plants and Natural Products provides emerging research exploring the theoretical and practical aspects of drug discovery from natural sources that allow for the effective treatment of human health problems without any side effects, toxicity, or drug resistance. Featuring coverage on a broad range of topics such as ethnobotany, therapeutic applications, and bioactive compounds, this book is ideally designed for pharmacologists, scientists, ethnobotanists, botanists, health researchers, professors, industry professionals, and health students in fields that include pharmaceutical drug development and discovery.
Curcumin is the answer to cancer and chronic health problems Have you: Been diagnosed with cancer? Had cancer and "recovered" only to fear its recurrence? Had a friend or loved one with cancer? Been diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes? Struggled with your weight? Been depressed? Worried about your memory? Had high blood pressure, high triglycerides, high cholesterol or other signs of heart disease? Had joint pain or arthritis? Had digestive disorders like inflammatory or irritable bowel, chronic constipation or diarrhea or Crohn's disease? Curcumin offers the solution you need to prevent and even reverse these diseases to create a lifetime of vibrant health. Dr. Ajay Goel has spent more than 20 years researching the most effective natural means of combatting cancer and other chronic diseases."
This is the second volume in a series of monographs which are intended to promote information exchange and international harmonised standards for the quality control and use of herbal medicines. It contains scientific information on 30 selected plants, and each entry includes a pharmacopoeial summary for quality assurance purposes, information on its clinical application and sections on contraindications, pharmacology, safety issues, and dosage forms. It provides two cumulative indexes with entries in alphabetical order by plant name and according to the plant material of interest.
For the last 6000 years turmeric has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to alleviate pain, balance digestion, purify body and mind, clear skin diseases, expel phlegm, and invigorate the blood. Nowadays, this plant has acquired great importance with its anti-aging, anti-cancer, anti-Altzheimer, antioxidant, and a variety of other medicinal properties.
Management of High Altitude Pathophysiology presents a comprehensive overview on the various therapeutic practices and ongoing research relating to the development of more potent and novel formulations for managing high altitude pathophysiology. It provides a detailed application of both herbal and non-herbal therapeutic agents, including their nanoformulations. This important reference provides benefits to the medical and herbal scientific communities, doctors treating patients with high altitude complications, individuals travelling to high altitudes for recreation or work, and scientists working on future drug development. - Provides the recent advances and potential therapeutic agents for ameliorating the high-altitude complications - Includes herbal remedies for the prophylaxis and treatment of the high-altitude maladies - Elucidates the significance of Yogic practices and ergonomics in managing stress at high altitude
Examples of plant-derived pharmaceuticals that have become the focus of continuous and exponential research and development interest have, to date, been somewhat scarce. After a long period, the last two decades have been characterized by a 100-fold increase in the number of scientific articles published annually that are of relevance to the use of curcumin in biomedicine. Today, the already-wide spectrum of potential clinical applications of this natural drug and its synthetic derivatives continues to grow, including chemoprevention and the treatment of cancers, inflammatory and immune diseases, diabetes, bacterial and viral infections, parasitosis, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Over the last two decades, numerous findings have confirmed the safety of curcumin, both in preclinical and clinical studies. Its physicochemical properties, low bioavailability and rapid metabolism have, however, somewhat limited its potential therapeutic applications. To overcome these limitations, the last few years have seen an impressive development of research on analogs, prodrugs and nanostructured systems, a number of which are already demonstrating improved properties compared with the parent structure. In parallel, new administration routes have been explored, and additional pharmacological properties have been documented, leading in particular to promising prospects for pain management.
This book summarizes recent advances in the chemistry, bioactivity, nutrition, and functional aspects of dietary phytochemicals, as well as the health and functional aspects of foods rich in phytochemicals. Consisting of forty-four chapters, it discusses the different chemical types of phytochemicals in our diets and food and presents data collected from animal or human experiments that are directly related to human health. Each chapter covers the chemistry, epidemiological study, bioavailability, bioactivity (animal experiments) function in humans and safety, as well as products on the market. Moreover, the more than 200 figures make it easy to grasp the main findings in each area.
