
Common Names
- Indian saffron
- Curcumin
- Jiang huang
For Patients & Caregivers
Tell your healthcare providers about any dietary supplements you’re taking, such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, and natural or home remedies. This will help them manage your care and keep you safe.
What is it?
Turmeric is a plant that’s common in South Asia but is grown around the world. The underground part of the stem is a spice that has been used in cooking for hundreds of years. It’s available as a dietary supplement for arthritis, and for cancer prevention.
The active substance in turmeric is curcumin. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants protect your cells from damage. Curcumin can also reduce swelling and pain.
What is it used for?
- To prevent cancer
- To treat infections
- To reduce inflammation (swelling and redness)
- To treat joint pain
Turmeric also has other uses that haven’t been studied by doctors to see if they work.
It’s generally safe to use turmeric in food and tea. However, talk with your healthcare providers before taking supplements or higher amounts of turmeric. Herbal supplements are stronger than the herbs you would use in cooking.
Turmeric can also interact with some medications and affect how they work. For more information, read the “What else do I need to know?” section below.
What else do I need to know?
- Talk with your healthcare providers about using turmeric and foods that contain turmeric if you’re getting chemotherapy. In lab experiments, turmeric stopped some chemotherapy medications from working against breast cancer cells.
- Talk with your healthcare providers about using turmeric and foods that contain turmeric if you have gastrointestinal problems, or if you have a family history of kidney stones. Taking turmeric supplements may put you at a higher risk of getting kidney stones.
Don’t take turmeric supplements if:
- You’re taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®), or Acetaminophen (Tylenol®). Turmeric may lessen the effects of these medications.
- You’re taking indomethacin (Indocin®). Turmeric may lessen its effects.
- You’re taking warfarin (Coumadin®) or other blood thinners. Turmeric may increase your risk of bleeding.
- You’re taking chemotherapy medications such as camptothecin (Camptosar®), mechlorethamine (Mustargen®), doxorubicin (Adriamycin®, Rubex®), or cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan®, Neosar®). Turmeric may lessen the effects of these medications.
- You’re taking tacrolimus (Prograf®). Curcumin supplements may increase side effects.
For Healthcare Professionals
Clinical Summary
Turmeric is a plant prevalent in South Asia, and is now cultivated in tropical areas around the world. The rhizome is used as a spice in regional cuisines, and as a coloring agent in food and cosmetics for its yellow-orange color. It is also used in traditional medicine for improving circulation and digestion. Turmeric extracts are marketed as dietary supplements to improve memory, for arthritis, and for cancer prevention.
The active constituents are turmerone oil and water-soluble curcuminoids, among which curcumin has largely been the focus of research. In vitro studies suggest that it acts as a weak phytoestrogen (1), and exhibits neuroprotective (2), choleretic (3), anti-inflammatory (4), immunomodulatory (5), anti-proliferative (3), and chemopreventive effects (6) (7) (8). Curcumin, its analogs, and liposomal formulations also demonstrated chemosensitizing (9) (10) (11) and radiosensitizing effects (12) (13).
Turmeric and its active constituents have been studied extensively. Clinical findings indicate that it may be effective against major depressive disorder (62), and epidemiological data suggest improved cognitive performance in elderly Asians who consumed turmeric in the form of curry powder (14). However, there were no benefits of curcumin supplementation in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (15). Turmeric may also help alleviate gastrointestinal symptoms (81); symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (16) and quiescent ulcerative colitis (17). But in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis, there was no reduction in lower intestinal tract adenomas with long-term use of curcumin (70).
Turmeric may help reduce arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (77) and benefit children and adolescents with asthma (78). It was also found to be safe and as effective as paracetamol (82) or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (18) for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee, but did not affect knee effusion-synovitis or cartilage composition (83).
Supplementation with curcumin may be useful in managing sarcopenia in older subjects (84). But it is not known whether it increases cholesterol levels, as available data are mixed (19) (20). In a study of postmenopausal women, consumption of curcumin, along with aerobic exercise training, improved vascular endothelial function (61). Findings of a systematic review suggest that supplementation with turmeric or curcumin may benefit patients with non alcoholic fatty liver disease by positively affecting serum concentrations of liver enzymes (75). Preliminary findings suggest benefits of combining curcumin with antipsychotics for controlling symptoms in patients with chronic schizophrenia (79).
Turmeric has also been studied in cancer patients. Oral curcumin administered to colorectal cancer patients during the pre-surgery waiting period improved cachexia (21). In a phase II trial of oral curcumin in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, clinically relevant biological activity was seen in two patients despite limited absorption (22). Preliminary data also suggest that turmeric supplementation during capecitabine treatment may reduce rates of hand-foot syndrome (71). Supplementation with a blend of green tea, pomegranate, broccoli and curcumin resulted in a reduction in the rate of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) increase among men with prostate cancer following a PSA relapse post-radical treatment (65).
In early phase studies, curcumin combined with docetaxel (23) and gemcitabine (24) (25) was found to be safe, but a high dose of curcumin was needed to achieve systemic effect (23) (25). Also, in a study of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, curcumin was reported to be a safe and tolerable adjunct to FOLFOX chemotherapy (72).
Supplementation with turmeric improved quality of life and hematological parameters in breast cancer patients (85).
Preliminary studies in head and neck cancer patients suggest effectiveness of a topical turmeric-based cream for reduction of radiotherapy-induced dermatitis (64), and of a curcumin mouthwash to delay the onset of radiation induced oral mucositis (86). Topical application of turmeric or curcumin was also found useful for controlling signs and symptoms of oral mucositis (76). In addition, curcumin, combined with hydroxytyrosol and omega-3 fatty acids, may help reduce inflammation and pain in early breast cancer patients with aromatase-induced musculoskeletal symptoms (80).
Curcumin is known to interfere with cytochrome P450 enzymes (26) (27) and may interact with chemotherapy drugs like cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin (28). Overall, the development of turmeric for clinical use needs further investigation due to its inherent poor absorption, rapid metabolism, complex mechanistic profile, and largely preclinical data.
Food Sources
Mechanism of Action
The hepatoprotective effects of curcumin, the most researched active constituent in turmeric, may occur via MMP-13 induction and TGF-alpha inhibition (30), as well as anti-apoptotic/anti-necrotic mechanisms (31). However, it has also been shown to inhibit cell-cycle progression during normal liver regeneration (3).
A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials revealed that curcumin is effective in decreasing the concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, a key mediator in many inflammatory diseases (68). In vitro and animal studies of lung models point to antiproliferative and modulatory mechanisms involving inhibition of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 Stat3 pathway (32), matrix metalloproteinase, and vascular endothelial growth factor (33); caspase- and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis (34) (35); and cyclin-dependent kinase downregulation (35). Curcumin also appears to have synergistic effects with isoflavones, suppressing the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) production in prostate cells through anti-androgen effects (36).
Studies done on breast cancer show that curcumin may inhibit chemotherapy-induced apoptosis via inhibition of the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (28). Data also suggest that curcumin induces apoptosis in human colon cancer cells independent of p21 expression (39). Curcumin’s antitumor actions appear to be due to its interactions with arachidonate metabolism and its in vivo antiangiogenic properties (14). Another possible chemopreventive mechanism may be via binding and activating the vitamin D receptor (VDR), thereby protecting the small intestine and colon where VDRs are expressed and vitamin D is known to serve an anticancer function (38). Curcumin also inhibited growth of uterine leiomyosarcoma cells by targeting the AKT-mTOR (RAC-alpha serine-threonine-protein kinase; mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway (37). Curcumin may inhibit bladder cancer progression by downregulating the expression of beta-catenin, high levels of which are associated with several cancers (69).
Another study found that CRM1, an important nuclear exportin, is a cellular target of curcumin; and that the inhibition of nuclear traffic by curcumin may be responsible for its many biological effects (63).
Contraindications
Patients with gastrointestinal disorders and those predisposed to kidney stone formation (50) should consult their physicians before using turmeric supplements.
Adverse Reactions
Possible gastrointestinal discomfort (18)
Case Reports
- Allergic dermatitis: Associated with the use of curcumin (52).
- Contact urticaria: Two cases, one of which was an occupational exposure, associated with use of curcumin powder (53).
- Paclitaxel toxicity/Acute toxic hepatitis: In a 67-year-old lung cancer patient, related to a possible interaction with turmeric and contaminated chlorella which were taken during active cancer treatment (73). Although other supplements were also being taken, increased paclitaxel plasma concentrations were attributed to potential CYP 2C9 and 3A4 inhibition of turmeric as among the causes.
Herb-Drug Interactions
Anticoagulants / Antiplatelets: Preclinical studies (54) (55) and a case report (66) suggest that turmeric can increase risk of bleeding.
Camptothecin: Turmeric inhibits camptothecin-induced apoptosis of breast cancer cell lines in vitro (28). Clinical relevance is not known.
Mechlorethamine: Turmeric inhibits mechlorethamine-induced apoptosis of breast cancer cell lines in vitro (28). Clinical relevance is not known.
Paclitaxel: In a recent case report, a lung cancer patient suffered liver toxicity while undergoing active treatment with paclitaxel. Although he was taking multiple supplements, one of which was tainted, turmeric was thought to be among the likely causes (73).
Doxorubicin: Turmeric inhibits doxorubicin-induced apoptosis of breast cancer cell lines in vitro (28). Clinical relevance is not known.
Cyclophosphamide: Dietary turmeric inhibits cyclophosphamide-induced tumor regression in animal studies (28). Clinical relevance is not known.
Norfloxacin: Pretreatment with curcumin resulted in increased plasma elimination half-life, thereby reducing the dosage of norfloxacin in animal model (56). Clinical relevance is not known.
Amphotericin B: Curcumin enhanced the effect, and decreased the toxicity of amphotericin B, in vitro (57). Clinical relevance is not known.
Drugs metabolized by the CYP3A4 enzyme: Curcumin inhibits cytochrome 3A4 enzyme, altering the metabolism of some prescription drugs (26). But according to conflicting data, short-term use of curcumin did not result in a clinically relevant interaction in healthy volunteers (67).
Drugs metabolized by the CYP1A2 enzyme: Curcumin inhibits cytochrome 1A2 enzyme, affecting the metabolism of certain prescription medicines, in vitro. Clinical relevance is not known (27).
Drugs metabolized by the CYP2A6 enzyme: Curcumin enhances cytochrome 2A6 enzyme, and can affect the metabolism of certain prescription drugs (27). Clinical relevance is not known.
Drugs metabolized by the CYP2D6 enzyme: Curcumin inhibits cytochrome 2D6 activity and has the potential to interact with CYP2D6 substrates (74). Clinical relevance is not known.
Celiprolol and Midazolam: Curcumin was shown to downregulate intestinal P-gp levels, thereby increasing the concentrations of celiprolol and midazolam in a murine model (48). Clinical relevance is not known.
Verapamil: Curcumin inhibited intestinal P-gp expression and function, thereby increasing concentrations of verapamil, in vitro (47). Clinical relevance is not known.
Tacrolimus: Pretreatment with turmeric increases the plasma levels of tacrolimus in a murine model (59). Clinical relevance is not known.
Acetaminophen: The cytotoxic effects of curcumin increased significantly in the presence of acetaminophen in vitro (60). Clinical relevance is not known.
Ibuprofen: The cytotoxic effects of curcumin increased significantly in the presence of ibuprofen (60). Clinical relevance is not known.
Aspirin: The cytotoxic effects of curcumin increased significantly in the presence of aspirin (60). Clinical relevance is not known.
Herb Lab Interactions
Curcumin can interfere with thioflavin T assays due to its strong absorptive and fluorescent properties (58).