Study finds the spices turmeric and black pepper help prevent breast cancer

Powdered turmeric (Wikimedia Commons)

A new study suggests the spices turmeric and black pepper could help prevent breast cancer. The study focused on the effects of the compounds curcumin, found in turmeric, and piperine, found in black pepper, on cancer stem cells.

The results of the study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, showed curcumin and piperine limit the growth of stem cells.

“If we can limit the number of stem cells, we can limit the number of cells with potential to form tumors,” says lead author Madhuri Kakarala, M.D., Ph.D., R.D., clinical lecturer in internal medicine at the U-M Medical School and a research investigator at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System.

The University of Michigan press release further explains, “Cancer stem cells are the small number of cells within a tumor that fuel the tumor’s growth. Current chemotherapies do not work against these cells, which is why cancer recurs and spreads. Researchers believe that eliminating the cancer stem cells is key to controlling cancer. In addition, decreasing the number of normal stem cells – unspecialized cells that can give rise to any type of cell in that organ – can decrease the risk of cancer.”

The researchers applied curcumin and piperine, both alone and in combination, to cultured breast cells at a potency of 20 times the normal dietary amount. They had the best results when using the two compounds together, as the piperine enhanced the effects of curcumin on the stem cell renewal process. Also encouraging was the fact the compounds had no affect on the development process of normal breast cells.

“This shows that these compounds are not toxic to normal breast tissue,” Kakarala says. “Women at high risk of breast cancer right now can choose to take the drugs tamoxifen or raloxifene for prevention, but most women won’t take these drugs because there is too much toxicity. The concept that dietary compounds can help is attractive, and curcumin and piperine appear to have very low toxicity.”

While curcumin and piperine are available at the tested levels through herbal supplements, the researchers involved in the study do not recommend women begin using the supplements for breast cancer treatment at this time. More testing is needed to determine the effects of high levels of curcumin and piperine in humans. Phase I of this testing is not expected to begin until the spring of 2010.