[Preventive role of curcumin in lung cancer].

Carcinogens from cigarette smoke form the link between nicotine addiction and lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the world. One of the most frequently studied chemopreventive agents is a curcumin, a natural compound extracted from turmeric that inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in human leukaemia, prostate cancer, and non-small cell lung cancer. Curcumin (diferuoylmethane) is a major yellow pigment in turmeric (Curcuma longa) and is widely used as a spice. Curcumin exhibits a variety of pharmacological effects, and has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities.