The clinical potential of curcumin, which is a component of the ingredient turmeric commonly used in Indian cooking, has been widely investigated, in particular for tumour destruction and clearance of plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease. However, due to its hydrophobic nature, the use of curcumin for disease treatment in humans has been somewhat limited as it is not easily taken up into the bloodstream. A recent MIT web article describes work underway at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the University of Delhi, where curcumin has been incorporated into polymer nanospheres which are 50nm in size. These curcumin/nanosphere structures are soluble in nature, which should enable them to enter the bloodstream more easily than curcumin alone. This is an exciting example of how the most modern technologies can be combined with natural materials, with the possibility of providing significant benefits in human healthcare.
- 14/06/2007 -
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