Prostate cancer cells treated with curcumin, LM

Confocal micrograph of prostate cancer cells treated with nanomedicines carrying the natural compound curcumin (yellow). In addition to its use in food (curcumin is a derivative of the spice turmeric) curcumin is shown to have anti-cancer activity. Curcumin is not very soluble in water so is delivered to the cells by nanocarriers (nanometre-sized particles) which are soluble in water. In this image, a cluster of curcumin can be seen inside a cancer cell. Cell nuclei are also visible (blue). Diameter of each cell is approximately 10 micrometres.