Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have found that curcumin, the spice used in curries, eases the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Inflammation and oxidative damage (damage caused by oxygen) to brain cells has been implicated in Parkinson’s disease. Scientists knew that curcumin derived from turmeric is high in potent antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory properties. They theorized that curcumin, in fighting both inflammation and oxidation, might help treat Parkinson’s.
Nerve-like cells in the brain make a mutant form of a protein that causes brain cells to die. The researchers found that when curcumin was applied to brain cells, only 19 percent died compared to 50 percent of cells that were untreated.
“These results suggest that curcumin is a potent candidate for inhibiting the oxidative damage that leads to Parkinson’s disease,” said Wanli Smith, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. “This common curry spice could be a weapon to protect the brain.”
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