Anti-carcinogenic properties of curcumin on colorectal cancer

Figure 1 Diagram showing curcumin and its potential inhibitory effects on the metabolic pathway of arachidonic acid. The anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin can be attributed to its effects on many molecular targets, 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase to name a few. Curcumin has been found to inhibit 5-lipoxygenase in-vitro in a concentration dependent manner in mouse epidermal cells[6]. The proposed mechanism of cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition is believed to be due to the inhibition of Nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) activation[53].

Figure 2 A simplified illustration of curcumin and its effects on the three stages of carcinogenesis. NF-κB has been the subject of research for the development of anti-cancer therapeutic agents due to its effects on multiple stages of carcinogenesis. Curcumin has been shown to prevent phosphorylation and degradation of inhibitor κ B α, thereby blocking NF-κB activation[30]. NF-κB, through multiple pathways, can promote inflammation, angiogenesis and disrupt cell cycle and apoptosis regulation, thus promoting carcinogenesis.