Curcumin, a component of the curry spice turmeric root powder, has been found to slow down or limit the HPV virus that causes oral and cervical cancers. Turmeric is a common spice in Indian and Asian cooking, and new research published in ecancermedicalscience suggests that turmeric can play a therapeutic role in oral cancers associated with human papillomavirus. Curcumin, a major active ingredient in turmeric, acts as an antioxidant to attenuate the activity of human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that can promote the development of cervical and oral cancers. Although curcumin does not cure cervical and oral cancers, it has a preventive effect. ”Studies have confirmed that curcumin has antiviral and anticancer properties,” said author Dr. Misra (Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA). “Based on our new findings, we can say that it is also good for oral health.” Dr. Misra’s team discovered in 2005 that curcumin has an effect on HPV and cervical cancer. The antioxidant activity slowed HPV expression, suggesting that curcumin could control the extent of HPV infection. ”Since cases of HPV-related oral cancer are on the rise, we then looked at the effect of curcumin on oral cancer,” says Dr. Misra. “We came up with some very interesting findings.” The new study showed that curcumin can reduce the expression levels in HPV-infected oral cancer cells by decreasing the expression of transcription factors AP-1 and NF-κB. The results suggest a potential therapeutic role for curcumin in cancer control. While Dr. Misra could not comment on the therapeutic benefits of turmeric in cooking, he said that the use of curcumin and other antioxidants may be good for health overall and specifically for oral cancers associated with HPV.