Curcumin May Delay Liver Damage, Cirrhosis

GRAZ, AustriaCurcumin, one of the principal components of the Indian spice turmeric, may delay the liver damage that causes cirrhosis, according to a new study published in the journal Gut (2010;59:251-30). Researchers analyzed tissue and blood samples from mice with chronic liver inflammation before and after adding curcumin to their diet for a period of four and eight weeks. Results were compared with the equivalent samples from mice with the same condition that were not fed curcumin. Findings showed the curcumin diet significantly reduced bile duct blockage and curbed liver cell (hepatocyte) damage and scarring (fibrosis) by interfering with several chemical signaling pathways involved in the inflammatory process. These effects were clear at both four and eight weeks.