Curcumin + Aminosalicylic Acid (5ASA) Versus 5ASA Alone in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Ulcerative Colitis
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2014-10-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease resulting in increased morbidity in
patients. The current standard treatment for mild to moderate UC (MTMUC) includes
5-aminosalicylic compounds (5ASA) such as olsalazine and mesalamine, yet some patients
continue to experience disease symptoms and flare-ups. These patients require higher dosages
of 5ASA medications and in many cases escalate to steroid and/or immunosuppressant therapy
which comprises higher risk of hazardous side effects.
Curcumin, an active ingredient of the Indian herb Rhizoma Curcuma Longa, has been extensively
studied in the context of inflammatory diseases. In humans, a controlled study using curcumin
as an adjusted therapy to 5ASA medication has shown it to be superior to placebo in
maintaining remission in MTMUC patients . A small, preliminary open label study has also
shown efficacy in reducing disease symptoms and inflammatory markers in this group of
patients .
This data provides bases for investigating an integrative approach to optimize the current
standard treatment in MTMUC patients. We speculate that using a combined therapy of 5ASA
medication and curcumin could benefit this subgroup of patients and reduce morbidity and
perhaps need for escalating pharmacological intervention.