Anti-inflammatory

Curcumin activates the Switch-off mechanism to decrease phosphorylase kinase (PhK). The side effects of the body wound healing reaction to injury are reduced. The skin then returns to its normal state. The injury-induced pathways are depicted below:

Curcumin, the active ingredients in YoungAlways Skintech, is a natural inhibitor of the enzyme, phosphorylase kinase(PhK). This enzymes is involved in providing energy (ATP) from the breakdown of glycogen to energize many cellular process. Frequently, these inflammatory pathways lead to unsightly skin appearance, such as redness, scaling, pigmentation and scarring. By inhibiting phosphorylase kinase activity with curcumin gel, these unsightly skin change are improved.

"The many dermatologic uses of turmeric and its principal active ingredient, curcumin, include the prevention and treatment of soriasis, acne, wounds, burns, eczema, photodamage, and photoaging (Br. J. Dermatol.2000;143:937-49; Phytother. Res. 2003:17:987-1000).

Research on turmeric and curcumin shows that these substances have great potential in terms of anticarcinogenic and antiinflammatory activities."

By DR. BAUMANN. Skin & Allergy News, May, 2005.

She is director of cosmetic dermatology at the University of Miami. To respond to this column, or to suggest topics for future columns, write to Dr. Baumann at our editorial offices via e-mail at sknews@elsevier.com.

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