A chemical found in curries is to be investigated after it has been found that it can cure cancer.
Studies have shown that curcumin, found in the spice turmeric, can kill bowl cancer tumours and has beneficiary effects on stroke and dementia patients also.
A trail in Leicester will be carrying out tests to analyse these effects, alongside other chemotherapy drugs.
Forty patients at Leicester Royal Infirmary and Leicester General Hospital will be taking part in the trial.
The trail will observe the effects of giving curcumin pills seven days before starting standard chemotherapy treatment.
Proffessor William Steward, from Leicester University, who is leading the study told the BBC, “Once bowel cancer has spread it is very difficult to treat, partly because the side effects of chemotherapy can limit how long patients can have treatment.
“The prospect that curcumin might increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy is exciting because it could mean giving lower doses, so patients have fewer side effects and can keep having treatment for longer.
“This research is at a very early stage, but investigating the potential of plant chemicals to treat cancer is an intriguing area that we hope could provide clues to developing new drugs in the future.”
