Since the liver is the major site of ethanol metabolism, it sustains the most damage from chronic alcohol consumption. Alcoholism has long been associated with aggressive liver diseases such as cirrhosis and cancer. Curcumin, the biologically active component of turmeric, has been investigated for its therapeutic role on the liver damaged by the ravages of alcohol abuse. It was found to effectively reverse some symptoms of disease. However, always consult a healthcare professional before using herbal therapies to treat health conditions.
Curcumin as a Potential Treatment for Liver Damage
In an article appearing in the January 2010 issue of "Veterinaria Italiana," the authors investigated the effect of curcumin on markers of oxidative stress and liver damage in rats that were continually supplied with ethyl alcohol. Experimental male rats received mixtures of curcumin with or without ethanol or just ethanol alone for12 weeks. The researchers collected blood and liver tissue from the treated animals and controls, which received no alcohol in their diet. The rats exposed to ethanol and curcumin were found to have oxidative stress compared with the controls, but the amount of liver damage was reduced considerably as compared to the animals without curcumin treatment. The authors concluded that curcumin reduces markers of liver damage and oxidative stress and has the potential to treat alcohol-induced illnesses.
Hormonal Production is altered by Alcohol
The circadian clock, which controls sleep/wake cycles and other processes in the body, has been localized to a discrete site within the nervous system, the suprachiasmatic nucleus, or SCN, in the anterior hypothalamus. In the December 2007 issue of "Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology," researchers investigated the complex interaction between alcohol and the function of the SCN and nervous system disorders including loss of memory and amnesia-like states of consciousness. The researchers found that treatment with curcumin on ethanol-induced changes in circadian rhythms in the SCN resulted in partial restoration of daily hormonal levels. Curcumin is effective for alcohol-induced neurological disorders.
Chronic Alcoholism and Curcumin
The September 2007 issue of the "Journal of Medicinal Food" included a study to describe possible therapeutic potency of curcumin against alcohol addiction and inflammatory-related abnormalities caused by chronic alcoholism. Rats were fed once daily with either a control or different doses curcumin and then divided in two groups: one received water alone, and the other had a free choice of water or ethanol. After 70 days of alcohol drinking, alcohol was withdrawn for 2 weeks, and the withdrawal symptoms were assessed. The authors found that rats drinking alcohol for 70 days had liver inflammation and after alcohol was withdrawn, the animal suffered severe withdrawal symptoms including seizure activity. Curcumin suppressed only the inflammation-related abnormalities in alcohol-drinking rats and the authors thus concluded that it is a promising alternative method for treating alcohol-related disorders but not for averting chronic alcoholism.
Viral Infection and Alcoholism
An article appearing in the December 2010 issue of the "World Journal of Gatroenterology" investigated the effects of curcumin for treatment of long-term hepatitis B virus, HBV, infection in alcoholics. HBV infection is a major risk factor in the genesis of chronic liver diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC, a cancer of the liver. The authors stated that HBV appears to contribute to the pathogenesis of HCC; chronic alcohol use is another important factor that contributes to oxidative stress in the liver. The study found that treatment with antioxidants, such as curcumin, protect the liver from disease by reducing damage from reactive oxygen species. The authors concluded that curcumin is an effective treatment for HBV infections in alcoholics and therefore suggested that it be used in antioxidant therapeutic approaches.
References
- "Veterinaria Italiana"; Efficacy of curcumin to reduce hepatic damage induced by alcohol and thermally treated oil in rats; N El-Deen et al; January 2010
- "Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology"; The effect of curcumin on ethanol induced changes in suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and pineal; A. Jaqota et al; December 2007.
- "Journal of Medicinal Food"; Herbal mixtures consisting of puerarin and either polyenylphosphatidylcholine or curcumin provide comprehensive protection against alcohol-related disorders in P rats receiving free choice water and 15% ethanol in pure water; A. Singh et al; September 2007
- "World Journal of Gastroenterology"; Oxidative stress and antioxidants in hepatic pathogenesis; H Ha et al; December 2010
