Turmeric/curcumin

[kim]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17075840

 

Efficacy and mechanism of action of turmeric supplements in the treatment of experimental arthritis.Funk JL, Frye JB, Oyarzo JN, Kuscuoglu N, Wilson J, McCaffrey G, Stafford G, Chen G, Lantz RC, Jolad SD, Sólyom AM, Kiela PR, Timmermann BN.

University of Arizona, Tucson, USA. jfunk@u.arizona.edu

 

OBJECTIVE: Scientific evidence is lacking for the antiarthritic efficacy of turmeric dietary supplements that are being promoted for arthritis treatment. Therefore, we undertook studies to determine the antiarthritic efficacy and mechanism of action of a well-characterized turmeric extract using an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: The composition of commercial turmeric dietary supplements was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. A curcuminoid-containing turmeric extract similar in composition to these supplements was isolated and administered intraperitoneally to female Lewis rats prior to or after the onset of streptococcal cell wall-induced arthritis. Efficacy in preventing joint swelling and destruction was determined clinically, histologically, and by measurement of bone mineral density. Mechanism of action was elucidated by analysis of turmeric's effect on articular transcription factor activation, microarray analysis of articular gene expression, and verification of the physiologic effects of alterations in gene expression. RESULTS: A turmeric fraction depleted of essential oils profoundly inhibited joint inflammation and periarticular joint destruction in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo treatment prevented local activation of NF-kappaB and the subsequent expression of NF-kappaB-regulated genes mediating joint inflammation and destruction, including chemokines, cyclooxygenase 2, and RANKL. Consistent with these findings, inflammatory cell influx, joint levels of prostaglandin E(2), and periarticular osteoclast formation were inhibited by turmeric extract treatment. CONCLUSION: These translational studies demonstrate in vivo efficacy and identify a mechanism of action for a well-characterized turmeric extract that supports further clinical evaluation of turmeric dietary supplements in the treatment of RA.

[Indigo]

So, is this being used for PANDAS as well? We use Boswellia, perhaps that is similar?

[kim]

Indigo,

 

I know there are a bunch of herbal supplements recommended for clearing strep on Dr. Amy Yasko's forum. I don't know if turmeric/curcumin is one of them or not. I have also seen it recommended for anti inflammatory purposes, but it's ability to selectively inhibit phosphorlase kinase, was research that I found specifically regarding psoriasis and wondered if that property could be helpful in PANDAS situations. As far as I know, it doesn't have any anti bacterial properties (edit article posted below does mention anti bacterial properties), it would work more to shut down a process that is triggered by the strep anti bodies cross reacting with neuronal tissue (big maybe), so it may only be helpful in conjunction with anti biotics?

 

I'm also interested in the gastro effects. My youngest son keeps me on pins and needles with IBS type of symptoms.

 

Here are some more articles.

 

 

http://www.healthymuslim.com/articles/qvtm...-in-tumeric.cfm

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1756920...ogdbfrom=pubmed

 

 

Curcumin: the Indian solid gold.Aggarwal BB, Sundaram C, Malani N, Ichikawa H.

Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. aggarwal@mdanderson.org

 

Turmeric, derived from the plant Curcuma longa, is a gold-colored spice commonly used in the Indian subcontinent, not only for health care but also for the preservation of food and as a yellow dye for textiles. Curcumin, which gives the yellow color to turmeric, was first isolated almost two centuries ago, and its structure as diferuloylmethane was determined in 1910. Since the time of Ayurveda (1900 Bc) numerous therapeutic activities have been assigned to turmeric for a wide variety of diseases and conditions, including those of the skin, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal systems, aches, pains, wounds, sprains, and liver disorders. Extensive research within the last half century has proven that most of these activities, once associated with turmeric, are due to curcumin. Curcumin has been shown to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities and thus has a potential against various malignant diseases, diabetes, allergies, arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and other chronic illnesses. These effects are mediated through the regulation of various transcription factors, growth factors, inflammatory cytokines, protein kinases, and other enzymes. Curcumin exhibits activities similar to recently discovered tumor necrosis factor blockers (e.g., HUMIRA, REMICADE, and ENBREL), a vascular endothelial cell growth factor blocker (e.g., AVASTIN), human epidermal growth factor receptor blockers (e.g., ERBITUX, ERLOTINIB, and GEFTINIB), and a HER2 blocker (e.g., HERCEPTIN). Considering the recent scientific bandwagon that multitargeted therapy is better than monotargeted therapy for most diseases, curcumin can be considered an ideal "Spice for Life".

 

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1841366...ogdbfrom=pubmed

 

 

Inhibition of Nod2 signaling and target gene expression by curcumin.Huang S, Zhao L, Kim K, Lee DS, Hwang DH.

Western Human Nutrition Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Davis, CA 95616, USA.

 

Nod2 is an intracellular pattern recognition receptor that detects a conserved moiety of bacterial peptidoglycan and subsequently activates proinflammatory signaling pathways. Mutations in Nod2 have been implicated to be linked to inflammatory granulomatous disorders, such as Crohn's disease and Blau syndrome. Many phytochemicals possess anti-inflammatory properties. However, it is not known whether any of these phytochemicals might modulate Nod2-mediated immune responses and thus might be of therapeutic value for the intervention of these inflammatory diseases. In this report, we demonstrate that curcumin, a polyphenol found in the plant Curcuma longa, and parthenolide, a sesquiterpene lactone, suppress both ligand-induced and lauric acid-induced Nod2 signaling, leading to the suppression of nuclear factor-kappaB activation and target gene interleukin-8 expression. We provide molecular and biochemical evidence that the suppression is mediated through the inhibition of Nod2 oligomerization and subsequent inhibition of downstream signaling. These results demonstrate for the first time that curcumin and parthenolide can directly inhibit Nod2-mediated signaling pathways at the receptor level and suggest that Nod2-mediated inflammatory responses can be modulated by these phytochemicals. It remains to be determined whether these phytochemicals possess protective or therapeutic efficacy against Nod2-mediated inflammatory disorders.

 

 

research update with bunch of studies

 

http://www.mdidea.com/products/new/new088research.html

 

 

psoriasis specific

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7511111

 

Curcumin is a non-competitive and selective inhibitor of phosphorylase kinase

 

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1106950...ogdbfrom=pubmed

 

Drug-induced suppression of phosphorylase kinase activity correlates with resolution of psoriasis as assessed by clinical, histological and immunohistochemical parameters.

[colleenrn]

That is very interesting. My mother has bad arthritis and has been taking Ziflamend for a few years with great results. It is a mix of herbs, including tumeric, that are anti inflammatories. If she forgets to take it she can feel it. My sisiter recently started giving it to her PANDAS daughter, especailly when her pupils are dilated. I am going to start giving it to my children to aid in decreasing inflammation from PANDAS.

http://www.prohealth.com/zyflamend.htm

Colleen

[michele]

We had also talked about cherries being good for inflammation. I have not been able to find them in the stores yet. I guess they are seasonal. I would be interested in trying tumeric. Is it in herbal supplements for joints? I am so swollen right now. My fingers hardly bend. I am puffy. I just don't want to go back on arthritis meds but I may have to.

 

I would be interested to know if tumeric could work for the PANDAS. My son's pupils get huge also. Keep us posted.

That is very interesting. My mother has bad arthritis and has been taking Ziflamend for a few years with great results. It is a mix of herbs, including tumeric, that are anti inflammatories. If she forgets to take it she can feel it. My sisiter recently started giving it to her PANDAS daughter, especailly when her pupils are dilated. I am going to start giving it to my children to aid in decreasing inflammation from PANDAS.

http://www.prohealth.com/zyflamend.htm

Colleen

[colleenrn]

My mom has horrible arthritis and it helps her more than anything else she has ever tried. Zyflamnd is marketed for arthritis/swollen joints. She swears by it!

[Chemar]

my son takes the NOW Boswellia/curcumin blend for his crohns disease with much benefit. it is a remarkable anti-inflammatory plus the boswellin also helps with OCD

 

I have heard that taking curcumin with bioperene(from black pepper) enables superior absorption/function, but so far my son doesnt want to switch from his blend as it works so well for him

[kim]

since turmeric taken orally doesn't have the best reputation for absorbability, this one has been talked about too. It's said that the piperine can interfere with other medications tho so have to be careful there

 

http://www.lifecheck.co.za/index2.php/?page_id=99

Life’s Curcumin (With Piperine)

 

I'm using freshly ground pure organic turmeric right now, myself.

 

For anyone dealing with psoriasis, this is Dr. Weng's site

 

http://psoriainfo.org/site/index.php?id=31,0,0,1,0,0

[keelvin]

I have been taking this Zyflamend for about six months now, and it is really helping the arthritis in my neck, and my PSA test went from 7, to 4.5, in the first 3 months. I took another PSA this week, and when I see the Urologist next week I expect it to be normal.

These natural remedies don't work overnight, you have to take them for awhile. Below is the link to the company that makes this product, which is available at most health food stores. I will pray for you, and your knees.

 

http://allnutri.com/pid3859/zyflamend.aspx

[Suzan]

I did a search for zyflamend and found this post. Has anyone continued taking it? Is anyone giving it to their children? Our health food store recommended this to me since I have a pinched nerve right now and have a lot of pain and inflammation that I can't seem to get under control. I was wondering about it for the kiddos.

 

Susan

[Luna2]

This is good information and I have to add a word of caution especially for our kids. Lead is a neurotoxin and has been found in tumeric and other spices imported from India. This includes Ayervedic medicines. Here are a couple of links with info:

http://newamericamedia.org/2010/04/caution-advised-about-lead-in-indian-spices-and-powders.php

http://www.prohealth.com/me-cfs/blog/boardDetail.cfm?id=1227528

 

With off-shore manufacturing and ingredients from different countries, it can be hard to maintain quality control. A good example are the toy manufactures and lead issues. Unfortunately, lead can be a hidden toxic "supplement." Has anyone done any checking on this issue with the supplement distributors? thanks Joanne

[JuliaFaith]

My ds12 has been on Curcumin Extract since day 1 for PANDAS inflammation. He take 2 (500 mg) in the morning and 2 in the evening without fail. We are using the VITAL Nutrients brand. This is one of our "must take" natureopathic remedies.

[parents4eyes]

[

Edited January 3, 2013 by parents4eyes

[Stephanie2]

I recently started both of my pandas sons on curcumin and I do feel that it has helped reduce inflammation. I get Enhansa brand, supposed to be highly absorbable.

[Suzan]

I recently started both of my pandas sons on curcumin and I do feel that it has helped reduce inflammation. I get Enhansa brand, supposed to be highly absorbable.

 

I started my dd8 on Enhansa but our neurologist talked me out of it. He felt there was too much controversy and had some patients that reacted very badly to it. I thought she was going really well on it but we were just about to do our first IVIG so I took her off. I will consider putting her back on.

 

Susan