Introduction:
Turmeric is also known as India's golden spice as it can be used in various ways. It has therapeutic properties to cure various diseases, and it is also used as an antimicrobial agent. Turmeric is obtained from a prenatal plant with tubers of two-inch lengths and dried and used as a yellow powder. The scientific name of curcumin is Curcuma longa, and it is a Middle Eastern spice. It has medicinal properties and has also been used in the treatment of precancerous lesions such as oral lichen planus, oral submucous fibrosis, and leukoplakia (white lesion of the mouth). Precancerous lesions, if left untreated, can progress to cancerous lesions. As turmeric has antioxidative, antineoplastic, and anti-inflammatory properties, it treats oral precancerous lesions. It is used as a herbal medicine and is easily available and cost-effective.
What Is an Oral Precancerous Lesion?
An oral precancerous lesion is an altered part of the tissue with more chance of cancer than its normal counterpart. It is a collection of cells from an organ of the body that look like cancer cells or may look like cancer cells, but where cancer cells are present in the membranes of the organ of origin. They may not have the properties of cancer cells that allow them to penetrate and spread (metastasis) to other organs. The oral precancerous lesion has the potential to convert into malignancy. Oral precancerous lesions can be detected and diagnosed at an early stage of the lesion. It can be cured with proper treatment, modification of habits, and healthy dietary intake. Several risk factors, such as chewing tobacco, smoking, and alcohol, play important roles in the development of potentially malignant oral disease.
What Is Curcumin?
Turmeric is a spice that has medicinal properties. The root of turmeric has volatile oil known as curcuminoids. Curcumanoids have curcumin, dihydroxycurcumin, methoxycurcumin, and demethoxycurcumin. It has various properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, chemopreventive, and antimicrobial properties. Curcumin provides a chemopreventive effect on precancerous lesions. It helps in increasing vitamin E and vitamin C levels by facilitating absorption. It also helps in the prevention of DNA damage and lipid peroxidation. It also initiates apoptosis induction on cancerous cells and helps with reducing pain and inflammation.
What Are the Benefits of Curcumin?
Listed below are the various health benefits of curcumin:
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Curcumin is a bioactive product that helps in the treatment of various diseases. The dose should be approximately one gram per day which can be fulfilled through diet or taken as a supplement in the proper amount.
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Curcumin acts as a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.
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Curcumin is a fat-soluble agent and helps in breaking down fat.
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Curcumin fights foreign bodies and helps repair damage in the body.
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Curcumin helps reduce chronic inflammation by suppressing the molecules acting as inflammatory agents.
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Curcumin increases the body's antioxidant capacity by protecting the body from free radicals. It helps neutralize the free radicals in the body.
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Curcumin enhances the level of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which increases the growth of the neurons. It helps fight various degenerative diseases of the brain.
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Curcumin reduces the risk of heart disease by improving the lining of blood vessels and endothelial functions.
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Curcumin causes apoptosis of cancerous cells and slows the angiogenesis (formation of blood vessels) process, due to which there is a reduction of metastasis; therefore, it acts as a chemopreventive agent.
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Curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier and reduces oxidative damage.
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Curcumin is used as an ingredient of mouthwash with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Curcumin can be used in the treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis (inflammation involving tooth-supporting structures).
What Is the Role of Curcumin in the Treatment of Potentially Malignant Lesions?
Curcumin has an anti-precancerous and chemopreventive effect on precancerous cells. It causes induction of apoptosis and prevents metastases of the precancerous lesion. Listed below is the mechanism of action of curcumin in various precancerous lesions:
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Curcumin in Oral Submucous Fibrosis - Oral submucous fibrosis is a potentially malignant disorder in which inflammatory changes are seen in lamina propria. There is a burning sensation, stiffness of the mouth, and inability to open the mouth. Turmeric is given as dietary supplements and mouthwash in the treatment regime. The mouthwashes having turmeric as an active ingredient act as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Curcumin helps in inhibiting the action of arachidonic acid, which causes inflammation. It also helps in decreasing histamine levels. It has fibrinolytic properties as it causes lipid proliferation due to the inhibition of collagen synthesis.
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Curcumin in Leukoplakia - Leukoplakia is a potentially malignant disorder that presents in a non-homogeneous and homogenous form. Curcumin prevents malignancy in leukoplakia by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase isoenzyme and modulating the translation mechanism. It acts as an antioxidant agent as it regulates carcinogen-detoxifying enzymes. It increases the level of vitamin C and vitamin E.
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Curcumin in Lichen Planus - Oral lichen planus is a mucocutaneous lesion with potential malignant properties. It is an immunologically mediated disease of the oral mucosa, skin, and genitals. Curcumin reduces the signs and symptoms of the oral lichen planus and provides immune modulatory effects, helping manage cell-mediated autoimmune disorders, including oral lichen planus. A significant lesion reduction is seen by applying an ointment containing curcumin on the lesion for three months.
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Curcumin in Reverse Smoking - Premalignant changes are seen in the palatal region associated with reverse smoking. In reverse smoking, the burnt end of the hand-rolled tobacco is kept in the mouth, which causes changes in the palate due to heat. It causes palatal keratosis, dryness, altered pigmentation, ulceration, and erythema of the region. Curcumin is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent for treating reverse palatal lesions. It decreases the potential malignancy of the lesion.
Conclusion
Turmeric has therapeutic properties, which treat various diseases, including precancerous lesions. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, due to which it acts as a chemopreventive agent in the treatment of oral precancerous lesions. The maintenance of oral health is a very crucial part of overall well-being and health. Furthermore, turmeric is a potent anticancer agent that is non-toxic, safe, cost-effective, and readily available for patients. Therefore, it should be incorporated into a diet to ensure the overall well-being of health.
