Les aliments traditionnels : remèdes de bonne femme ou pharmacopée du xxie siècle l'exemple de la curcumine

Curcumin is a polyphenol derived from a plant named turmeric, and has been used for hundreds of years as a spice and in traditional medicine. Indeed, this molecule possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties after oral or topical administration. In addition to its antioxidant power, curcumin also acts on several cell signalling pathways, various enzymes, the immune system, the atherosclerosis process, angiogenesis and cell adhesion. Its effects on gene transcription or on the induction of apoptosis seem to be particularly promising for use in cancer chemoprevention and chemotherapy in patients. Phase I clinical trials did not show any toxic effect of curcumin, even at high dosages, but phase II clinical studies will be needed to confirm these positive preclinical results. Phytochemicals derived from dietary components or plants traditionally used to combat human diseases remain topical as potential medicines, with scientific and molecular confirmation of their biological activities. Consequently, the regulations governing the use of molecules such as curcumin need to be clarified.