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Invited review for Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Suppression of Nuclear Factor-kappa B Activation
Pathway by Spice-Derived Phytochemicals:
REASONING FOR SEASONING
BHARAT B. AGGARWAL AND SHISHIR SHISHODIA, Cytokine Research Laboratory, Department of Bioimmunotherapy
The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
ABSTRACT: The activation of nuclear transcription factor -kappa B (NF-kB) has now been linked with a variety of inflammatory diseases including cancer, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, diabetes, allergy, asthma, arthritis, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, psoriasis, septic shock, and AIDS. Extensive research in the last few years has shown that the pathway that activates this transcription factor can be interrupted by phytochemicals derived from spices such as turmeric (curcumin), red pepper (capsaicin), cloves (eugenol), ginger (gingerol), cumin, anise and fennel (anethol), basil and rosemary (ursolic acid), garlic (diallyl sulfide, Sallylmercaptocysteine, ajoene), and pomegranate (ellagic acid). For the first time, therefore, research provides "reasoning for seasoning."
This is reflected in major research efforts to determine the action of spices on health.
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