Several breakthroughs in turmeric research have occurred.
Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory activity was probably
first demonstrated in 1971 by Arora et al. [4]. The group examined
the anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric in cotton
pellet granuloma, formalin-induced arthritis, and granuloma
pouchmodels of inflammation in rats. The effect of turmeric
was comparable to that of hydrocortisone, a steroidal drug
prescribed for the treatment of many inflammatory and allergic
conditions. The anticancer activity of turmeric in vitro was
probably first demonstrated in 1985 by Kuttan et al. [5], who
used tissue culture methods; and in vivo studies in mice.
Turmeric extracts at a concentration of 0.4 mg/mL inhibited
tumor growth and reduced the development of tumors
in animals. The anticancer activities of turmeric in human
participants were first demonstrated by the same group in
1987 [6]. They used an ethanol extract of turmeric that produced
remarkable symptomatic relief in patients with external
cancerous lesions. Reduction in smell was noted in 90%
of participants and reduction in itching in almost all cases.
Dry lesions were observed in 70% of cases, and a small number
of patients (10%) experienced reduced lesion size and less
pain. Although the effects continued for several months in
many patients, an adverse reaction was noticed in only 1 of
the 62 patients evaluated.