Effect of Supplemental Oral Curcumin in Patients With Atopic Asthma (CURCUMIN)

Curcumin has antioxidant properties and in animal models has numerous molecular targets, many of which are intracellular, such as transcription factors AP-1 and NF. As such, it inhibits the secretion of both pro-inflammatory (TNF-, IL-6) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines, possibly by inhibiting transcription factors such as nuclear factor-B (NF-B) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) (Wong et al).

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Atopic Asthma
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: CURCUMIN; Other: no intervention other than stopping study

Detailed Description

Research Design This is a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot study to evaluate the effects of oral supplementation of curcumin 2000mg, versus placebo, on patients with a history of stable persistent asthma and allergic sensitization.

Ng et al investigated mini-mental status exam (MMSE) scores in 1010 patients without dementia who reported ingesting varying quantities of curry. The authors found a statistically significant improvement in MMSE among patients who reported consuming curry "occasionally", "often, or "very often" (Ng et al). Curcumin is theorized to aid patients with dementia by improving innate immunity and by acting as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant agent. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 34 elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease, patients were randomized to receive 0, 1, or 4 grams PO curcumin. While the study did not show significant slowing in cognitive decline over a 6 month period, the dosages were tolerated up to 4 grams without significant adverse effects (Baum et al).

Wong et al demonstrated an inhibitory effect of curcumin on cytokines produced by human cells stimulated by the addition of Dermatophagoides pteronynssinus (Der p1), the major allergen derived from this dust mite. The authors investigated the cytokine changes that occur in bronchial epithelial cells and eosinophils upon activation by Der p1 (increased IL-10, TNF-, IL-6, GM-CSF, and IL-1). Curcumin inhibited such activation. For example, the addition of curcumin decreased the production of IL-10 in Der p1-activated human epithelial/eosinophil co-culture cell lines. Additionally, the addition of curcumin to Der p1-activated eosinophil cell cultures decreased the release of IL-10, TNF-, and IL-1. of NF-B and AP-1 induced by addition of Der p1 in the control group. The authors theorized this occurred via inhibition of AP-1 (Wong et al).

Several additional studies highlight the effect of curcumin in vitro. Curcumin decreases the expression and release of eotaxin, MCP-1, and MCP-3 from IL-1-stimulated human airway smooth muscle cells (Wuyts et al). Additionally, curcumin added to Der f-stimulated lymphocyte cell cultures from allergic asthmatics inhibits Der f-induced lymphocyte proliferation and production of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and GM-CSF (Kobayashi et al). Ram et al sensitized guinea pigs with ovalbumin to establish airway hyperresponsiveness. There was a significant decrease in airway constriction and hyperreactivity when curcumin (20mg/kg) was added during the sensitization phase.

There are no clinical studies which have evaluated the effect of oral curcumin supplementation on asthma severity in allergic asthmatics or any in vivo studies in humans with asthma. Therefore, this is a pilot study to evaluate the effects of oral supplementation with curcumin on patients with persistent atopic asthma.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 16
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Florida
    • Tampa, Florida, United States, 33613
      • Usf Asthma Allergy and Immunology Cru

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 60 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Males and non-breastfeeding, non-pregnant females
• Aged 18-60 years
• History of physician-diagnosed asthma for 1 year or longer FEV1 60% pre-bronchodilator
• Currently on low or medium dose inhaled corticosteroids (see Appendix 1)
• Use of short-acting β-agonist ≥ 1 in the past 30 days (except for exercise) A ≥ 2+ skin-prick test prick-puncture test to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus or Dermatophagoidesfarinae with appropriate positive/negative controls (historical is acceptable within 10 years)

Exclusion Criteria:

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Quadruple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: CURCUMIN; oral supplementation of curcumin 2000mg	Dietary supplement: CURCUMIN; oral supplementation of curcumin 2000mg
Placebo Comparator: PLACEBO; oral PLACEBO TABLET	Other: no intervention other than stopping study; no intervention other than stopping study

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Improvement in post-bronchodilator FEV1

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Improvement in Asthma Control Test (ACT) Score Decreased frequency of asthma exacerbation
Decreased blood eosinophil count Decreased serum total IgE Decreased in cumulative dose of daily inhaled corticosteroid Decrease serum-specific IgE to Dp and Df Changes in sputum intracellular cytokine profiles (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10, IL-4, and IL-5)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of South Florida
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: RICHARD LOCKEY, MD, University Of South Florida

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: March 1, 2009
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 1, 2009
• Study Completion (Actual): March 1, 2010

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: August 9, 2010
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 10, 2010
• First Posted (Estimate): August 11, 2010

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): August 11, 2010
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 10, 2010
• Last Verified: August 1, 2009

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: ASTHMA
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Respiratory Tract Diseases; Immune System Diseases; Lung Diseases; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Bronchial Diseases; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Hypersensitivity; Asthma; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Peripheral Nervous System Agents; Enzyme Inhibitors; Analgesics; Sensory System Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antirheumatic Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Curcumin
• Other Study ID Numbers: curcumin