There is an increasing need for natural remedies for conditions like inflammatory bowel disease whose conventional treatments have been shown to cause adverse effects. A potential treatment for this disease was discovered in turmeric (Curcuma longa) by researchers from the United Arab Emirates University. In this study, which was published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the researchers used in vivo experiments to determine the effects of administering turmeric on the colon.

• Inflammatory bowel disease is caused by interleukin-23 (IL-23) mediated chronic inflammation.
• Conventional medications for inflammatory bowel disease include 5-aminosalicylic acid, sulfasalazine, and corticosteroids, which are known for their drug toxicity.
• Medicinal plants and food derivatives are commonly used for treating inflammatory diseases because of the bioactive compounds found in them and their limited toxicity.
• Turmeric is a spice commonly used for culinary and medicinal purposes.
• It contains the bioactive compound curcumin that is famous for its various pharmacological activities. One of these is its anti-inflammatory ability, which involves the inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (Nf-kappa B) pathway.
• In this study, the researchers determined the effects of turmeric on male Wistar rats induced to have inflammatory bowel disease through intra-rectal administration of acetic acid. Administration of turmeric was done either three days before the disease was induced or seven days after.
• Assessment of turmeric’s potential was based on histology of the colon, as well as the presence of antioxidants and substances associated with inflammation like IL-23 and myeloperoxidase.

The results of the study showed that turmeric can improve body weight, as well as inhibit ulcers and the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals. From these, the researchers were able to conclude that this spice has potential use in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease because of its potent anti-inflammatory activity.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

Learn more about the health benefits of turmeric by visiting Superfoods.news today.

Journal Reference:

Bastaki SMA, Ahmed MMA, Zaabi AA, Amir N, Adeghate E. EFFECT OF TURMERIC ON COLON HISTOLOGY, BODY WEIGHT, ULCER, IL-23, MPO AND GLUTATHIONE IN ACETIC-ACID-INDUCED INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE IN RATS. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 23 February 2016;16(72). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1057-5