Curcumin Helps Smokers, Drinkers

TAMILNADU, India--Administration of curcumin (Curcuma longa) appears to inhibit the damaging effects of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, according to research conducted at the University of Madras and published in Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (epub ahead of print).

Researchers administered curcumin to rats subjected to whole body cigarette smoke and ethanol exposure. There were three comparison groups, including exposed rats not given curcumin and non-exposed rats given curcumin. Their blood, livers and lungs were assessed for injury from the smoke and ethanol exposure. The scientists found altered lipid, lipoprotein profile and bile acid excretion in the exposed rats not given curcumin, which also displayed pre-malignant pathology in tissues. However, rats treated with curcumin showed near normal lipid and bile acid levels, as well as near normal histology.

The researchers concluded this biochemical picture on co-treatment with curcumin suggests the herb could counteract the injurious effects of combined cigarette smoke and ethanol exposure and, thus, might help to reduce the risk of hyperlipidemic disorders which develop due to smoking and drinking.