A variety of dietary components have been studied as potential modulators of cancer epigenetics. Curcumin is one such dietary component that has great potential as a cancer-therapeutic and is associated with cancer prevention.
Curcumin is a phenolic compound isolated from the roots of the plant Curcuma Longa (also called turmeric). It is a common ingredient in Asian and Mediterranean cuisine. Curcumin is well known for its anti-bacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties! Its potential to act as an epigenetic modulator has also been explored.
Curcumin mediates the regulation of histone modifications via the regulation of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). It is an inhibitor molecule for histone modifiers that are linked to cancer. Curcumin prevents histone deacetylation, by inhibiting HDACs. In fact, it has also proven to be more effective when compared to sodium butyrate and valproic acid which are considered popular inhibitors of HDACs. By inhibiting HDAC1, curcumin leads to the upregulation of acetylated H3 and p53 ultimately mediating tumor suppression and apoptosis.
Curcumin treatment was found to decrease cell proliferation and breast tumor growth in vivo. It has been linked to decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia, and prostate cancer. In brain cancer cells curcumin-induced histone hypoacetylation and apoptosis were associated with PARP activity. Activation of p53 by acetylation leads to its binding with DNA, mediating transcription of downstream target genes that arrest the cell cycle and induce apoptosis.
Needless to say, adding turmeric to one’s diet can help reduce one’s risk of developing cancers and could even play roles in cancer therapy.
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