Turmeric may delay liver damage and cirrhosis

The researchers found that curcumin, one of the principal components of the Indian spice turmeric, seems to delay the liver damage that eventually causes cirrhosis. The study has been published in the journal Gut.

Curcumin, which gives turmeric its bright yellow pigment, has long been used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine to treat a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders.

It was earlier shown that it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may be helpful in combating disease.

The research team wanted to find out if curcumin could delay the damage caused by progressive inflammatory conditions of the liver, including primary sclerosing cholangitis and primary biliary cirrhosis.

Both the conditions, which can be sparked by genetic faults or autoimmune disease, cause the liver's plumbing system of bile ducts to become inflamed, scarred, and blocked. 

Source : http://www.dnaindia.com/health/report_turmeric-may-delay-liver-damage-and-cirrhosis_1362713