Indian researchers have shown that Turmeric (curcuma longa), a common Indian dietary pigment and spice, is an excellent cardioprotective agent. The study conducted by the scientists at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has proved the protective effects of Turmeric on ischemia-reperfusion induced myocardial injuries and their mechanisms. The research work has been published in the latest issue of Life Sciences, a reputed scientific journal.
The study conducted on animal models has shown that the beneficial cardioprotective effects of Turmeric also translated into functional recovery of heart. Scientists point out that the cardioprotective effects result from the supression of oxidative stress and correlates with the improved ventricular function.
The findings are important as myocardial ischemia-reperfusion is clinically relevant to situations such as myocardial infarction, coronary angioplasty, thrombolytic therapy, coronary revascularization and heart transplantation. Studies also showed that myocardial ischemia and reperfusion is associated with increased generation of reactive oxygen species, which results in depression in contractile function, arrhythmias, depletion of endogenous antioxidant network etc.
The AIIMS scientists led by Dr S K Gupta, former Head, Department of Pharmacology, studied the effect on Turmeric on ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats as a model of antioxidant-based composite therapy.
Biomedical indicators of oxidative damage, lipid peroxidation enzymes and myocardial enzyme were evaluated. The scientists also examined the effect of CI on cardiac function after coronary artery ligation and reperfusion. Protective action of CI was confirmed by assessing the ischemica and reperfusion induced injury histapathologically.
The scientists said that the study demonstrated a significant protective effect of curcuma longa in the ischemia and reperfusion model of myocardial infarction. Curcuma longa significantly maintaned the myocardial antioxidant status and corrected, the altered hemodynamic variables. Turmeric has since ages shown to possess a wide range of therapeutic utilities in the traditional Indian medicine. Its role in wound healing, urinary tract infection, liver ailments are well documented. The active component of turmeric identified as currumin exhibits a variety of pharmacological effects including antioxidant, adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-infectious activities.
The AIIMS scientists who took part in the study are Ipseeta Mohanty, Dharamvir Singh Arya, Amit Dinda, Sujata Joshi and Keval Kishan Talwar.