Does Curcumin play a role in prostate cancer suppression?

What is Prostate Cancer?

The prostate gland is an internal sex gland in men, the size of a walnut. It was first discovered in 1536-38 by Venetian anatomist Niccolò Massa and Flemish anatomist Andreas Vesalius. The gland surrounds the neck of the bladder in men and releases the fluid component of semen. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men after lung cancer. Prostate cancer usually does not give rise to any symptoms till it is in an advanced stage. Any man over 50 years who undergoes health screening should have a prostate check-up. This requires a rectal examination and sometimes a blood test that measures the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA).

The incidence of Prostate Cancer

The incidence of prostate cancer has been increasing with improving longevity. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime; however, only 1 in 33 will die of this disease. The number of deaths has been estimated to be 20.1 per 100,000 men per year. About 6 in 10 cases are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older, with the average age at diagnosis being 66.

Risk Factors / Causes of Prostate Cancer

Research studies have identified four major risk factors for prostate cancer. These include the following:

• Family History: Research evidence suggests that prostate cancer can be inherited. If the father or other male family member has the disease, the next generation too can be affected.

• Genetic Mutations: The genes present in our cells are made up of DNA, a chemical that carries all the information from one generation to the next. It also regulates and fine-tunes all the functions of the cells. Sometimes, these functions are disrupted due to abrupt changes in the DNA, which are technically termed as mutations. These changes can also occur in the cells of the prostate gland, giving rise to abnormal cells which lead to prostate cancer.

• Old Age: Men who are generally above 50 years and especially those above 65 years are susceptible to developing prostate cancer. This is because in old age the bodily functions deteriorate substantially, as a result of which diseases like prostate cancer can strike. In old age the stops and checks that keep diseases like cancer at bay are absent, so the individual is much more vulnerable to developing the disease.

• Obesity: In obesity, most metabolic processes function abnormally. For this reason, many non-communicable diseases like diabetes mellitus as well as a propensity for developing various types of cancer occur in obese men. Prostate cancer is no exception. Moreover, if the obese individual is above 65, then the risk increases manifold.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

A prostate cancer patient can exhibit certain symptoms that are indicative that the person could be suffering from cancer of the prostate. However, it should be noted that when the patient shows symptoms, cancer could already have spread to other organs. This fact highlights the need for early diagnosis and prompt treatment of this disease. The major symptoms of prostate cancer are briefly listed below:

• Pain and discomfort in the pelvic area

• Blood in urine or semen

• Difficulty in passing urine

• Painful sensation during urination

• Impotence

Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

Early diagnosis of prostate cancer is very important for instituting treatment as soon as the diagnosis is made, as otherwise, cancer can spread to other parts of the body. Treatment under such circumstances is extremely difficult and often futile. Some of the major diagnostic tests employed are briefly listed below:

• Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test: This is a blood test that measures the level of PSA, a protein specific to the prostate gland that is elevated in prostate cancer.

• Digital Rectal Examination (DRE): In DRE the rectum is examined by a doctor by inserting a finger into the rectum. An irregular or abnormally firm prostate gland indicates that there may be cancer.

• Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS): TRUS uses sound waves that are deflected from internal body structures to generate an image on a computer screen. Prostate tumors detected by TRUS is useful for confirmation of positive results in a PSA test and by DRE.

• Prostate Biopsy: Biopsy of the prostate can provide a definitive diagnosis of prostate cancer. Microscopy of stained biopsy samples can detect whether the tissue is cancerous or non-cancerous.

Treatment of Prostate Cancer

After a positive diagnosis is made, it should be assured that treatment is started promptly. There are several treatment options, some of which are non-invasive, while others are invasive. These are briefly listed below:

• Surgery: This includes the following:

  • Radical prostatectomy

  • Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)

  • Cryosurgery

  • Radiation therapy

  • Chemotherapy

  • Hormone therapy

Can Curcumin Prevent Prostate Cancer?

A recent randomized, double-blind clinical trial (Choi et al., 2018) of oral curcumin has indicated that curcumin therapy could suppress the level of PSA significantly. The study indicated that the proportion of patients with PSA elevation over 2 ng/ml during the curcumin treatment period was significantly lower in the curcumin group than the placebo group (10.3% vs. 30.2%, p=0.0259). This indicates that curcumin could be used as a preventive therapy for prostate cancer.

SNEC 30: A Self Nano Emulsifying Curcumin Formulation

Based on the scientific research findings that curcumin could be used in prostate cancer, SNEC 30 (Self Nano Emulsifying Curcumin Capsules 30mg) has been developed. This has been co-developed by Arbro Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd, DRDO (Defense Research & Development Organization), and Jamia Hamdard University in collaboration with DST (Department of Science & Technology, GOI). There is a US Patent for the technology used in SNEC 30.

Highlights of SNEC 30

• SNEC 30 Uses SNEDDS for better Absorption, Highest Bioavailability of Curcumin & Fast Action Mode

SNEC 30 uses Self Nano-Emulsifying Drug Delivery System (SNEDDS) which makes the properties of Curcumin to multifold.  Self nano-emulsifying curcumin used in SNEC 30 acts fast with lower doses without causing any adverse effects.SNEC 30 forms a stable nanoemulsion in the stomach and bypasses the pre-systemic metabolism followed by absorption through the lipid absorption channel and the Peyers’ patches in the intestines. It also escapes Liver First Pass metabolism and directly reaches the systemic blood through the lymphatic system providing the basis for high Cmax at a very low dose.

CURCUMIN PREVENTION IN PROSTATE CANCER

Curcumin is able to prevent prostate cancer initiation or progression by regulating NF-kb which is responsible for prostate cancer progression. Moreover, curcumin is able to suppress the proliferation of both androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells.

CURCUMIN USE IN RADIOTHERAPY

Highly potent and bio-available Curcumin present in SNEC30 has both radioprotective and radio-sensitizer properties. These may help make tumor cells more susceptible to radiation while also protecting normal cells of your body against its harmful effects.

PROMOTES PROGRAMMED CELL DEATH (APOPTOSIS)

This natural compound curcumin also induces natural death (Apoptosis) of prostate cancer cells and could be useful in combination with conventional treatment to treat advanced prostate cancer.

• SNEC 30 has “NO Side Effects”

SNEC 30 works in a synchronized fashion working on cellular membranes to organize them in a more orderly fashion.  This not only improves the resistance of cells against infection and malignancy but also works on various receptors to control inflammation and pain without causing any adverse effects.

• SNEC 30 is a Superior Antioxidant

SNEC 30, due to its unique US patented formulation, neutralizes free radicals which makes it a superior antioxidant.  Its immunomodulatory action strengthens the body’s immunity to fight against most microbial infections.  SNEC 30 also exerts antimicrobial and disinfectant properties for a wide range of topical bacterial and fungal infections.

• Dosage and Safety Profile

SNEC 30 is completely safe even at very high doses but ideal dose should be customized according to individual patient requirements. Trials generally report very few, if any, adverse effects of SNEC 30 even at very high doses. There have been no reports of toxicity following an even large amount of turmeric ingestion.