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cause gastric irritation, stomach upset, nausea, diarrhoea, anti-cancer action and would also protect against the side
allergic skin reaction, and antithrombosis activity. The effects of the current chemotherapeutic agents. Previous
Food and drug administration has declared curcumin studies have also claimed its antitumor effects against
as: generally regarded as safe. Curcumin exhibits both various types of cancers due to its inhibitory effects on
[70]
[73]
antioxidant and prooxidant activities. These opposing many types of pathways. In this article we have discussed
actions of curcumin might be regulated by its concentration various pharmacological activities of curcumin along with
that might switch roles. Thus research studies are needed its various antitumor mechanisms.
to study the effects of curcumin in different conditions and
the doses need to be titrated to get the maximum benefit. As we have discussed, oxidative stress is a risk factor
Till date, there have not been any long-term studies with cancer. Curcumin, being a strong antioxidant has been
curcumin, which show its toxic or adverse effects. Such proved to scavenge reactive species and can control
studies are necessary in both animal models and human tumor cell proliferation. Although preclinical results are
subjects to determine the long term safety of curcumin. promising but its clinical use in the treatment of HCC and
Currently, there are no carcinogenic effects of consuming HB remains to be elucidated.
curcumin in doses of around 100-200 mg/day over long
periods of time. [70] Curcumin has the ability to modify many signaling
pathways demonstrating its anti-tumor potential. Also, we
CONCLUSION noticed that curcumin has been proved to possess strong
anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin
Liver cancer is a leading cause of death in children and also targets principal anti-antigenic molecules like VEGF
adults. The treatment revolves around chemotherapy, and COX-2. All these properties of curcumin are essential
radiotherapy and surgery. Recent advances for its use as a therapeutic anti-tumor agent. It provides a
include transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, future perspective for the development of a novel adjuvant
radioembolization, anti-angioigenic drugs like sorafenib anticancer agent for humans.
and liver transplantation in advanced stages. Despite
improving diagnostic methods, the results have been Poor bioavailability and hydrophobicity of curcumin
far from satisfactory mainly due to advanced stage at are the main obstacles in its path to be used clinically
diagnosis and the side effects of chemotherapy. However, as an anti-tumor agent. However this issue can be
the successful cure of liver cancer mandates destruction resolved with the advancements in the drug delivery like
of both the differentiated neoplastic cells and the formation of nanoparticles and microcells of curcumin via
potential cancer stem cells. The conventional anticancer polymerization and these can be used to target cancerous
therapies reduce the tumor mass, but potentially leave cells without affecting other normal cells. Thus we can
behind cancer-initiating cells. Thus, new combinations conclude that curcumin might be a promising candidate
of therapies may be needed to overcome the complex as an adjuvant therapy for liver cancer in the future
network of signaling pathways, and ultimately inhibit but further research is needed to elucidate its various
the signaling that controls tumor growth and survival. mechanisms of action, to reveal its therapeutic strategy
Adjuvant curcumin along with the current modalities of and to titrate the dose required to reap maximum benefit.
treatment may help to overcome the side effects and also Financial support and sponsorship
have synergistic action as an anti-cancer agent.
Nil.
Curcumin has been reported to inhibit telomerase activity Conflicts of interest
in human cancer cell lines. Synergistic anti-cancer effects There are no conflicts of interest.
[74]
of curcumin has also been demonstrated in conjunction
with chemotherapeutic drugs such as doxorubicin and REFERENCES
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68 Hepatoma Research | Volume 2 | March 9, 2016