On World TB Day, a new study published by the University of Colorado suggests that curcumin, a component of turmeric, may combat drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB).
Turmeric, widely used in Indian cuisine, has been a traditional remedy for various ailments due to its antiseptic, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticarcinogenic properties.
The study discovered that curcumin activates macrophages, immune system cells that engulf Mycobacterium tuberculosis, removing it from the body. Additionally, curcumin inhibits the activation of nuclear factor kappa B, which controls the immune response to TB bacteria, potentially preventing drug resistance.
While this research highlights curcumin’s potential against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, further investigation is needed to explore its efficacy against multidrug-resistant strains.