India, July 13 -- Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT M) researchers have shown that the active principle from turmeric and curcumin can enhance cancer cell death caused by a protein called 'TRAIL.'

There have been considerable efforts in developing therapeutic agents that trigger apoptotic death of cancer cells. One such agent that has been found promising is a protein called 'TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand' (TRAIL). Its ability to selectively kill cancer cells by 'apoptosis' has resulted in a number of preclinical studies being carried out all over the world.

Curcumin is already known to be a potent anti-cancer agent because of its ability to inhibit carcinogenesis and induce apoptosis in various cancer cells. Its functi...