Oral Curcumin (Meriva) Is Effective as an Adjuvant Treatment and Is Able to Reduce IL-22 Serum Levels in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris.

BioMed research international. 2015;2015:283634
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Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory condition affecting the skin, nails, and joints. Turmeric contains curcumin, a yellow-pigmented polyphenol with anti-inflammatory properties. Several diseases, including psoriasis, have been treated with turmeric in Asian countries since ancient times as a topical application and dietary supplement. This phase 3, single-dose, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated the efficacy of curcumin as a complementary therapy for the treatment of mild-to-moderate psoriasis. This study used Meriva, a curcumin supplement that contains lecithin to boost the bioavailability and absorption of curcumin. The study assessed the effect of curcumin supplementation on inflammatory cytokine secretion by the immune cells. For 12 weeks, sixty-three patients with mild-to-moderate psoriasis were randomly assigned to either receive 2 grams of oral curcumin supplement, Meriva, along with topical steroid cream (Methylprednisolone aceponate 0.1%), or topical steroid cream alone. Treatment with 2 grams of oral curcumin supplementation and topical steroid cream application for 12 weeks significantly reduced the secretion of inflammatory cytokine, IL-22, in the serum of psoriatic patients. Additionally, the treatment reduced the proliferation of outer skin cells. Further robust studies are required to analyse the beneficial effects of curcumin on other pathogenic pathways of psoriasis. The study can help healthcare professionals learn more about the benefits of curcumin supplements for treating psoriasis in conjunction with conventional medicine.

Abstract

Curcumin is a complementary therapy that may be helpful for the treatment of psoriasis due to its anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic, antioxidant, and antiproliferative effects. In the present study we performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of a bioavailable oral curcumin in the treatment of psoriasis. Sixty-three patients with mild-to-moderate psoriasis vulgaris (PASI < 10) were randomly divided into two groups treated with topical steroids and Meriva, a commercially available lecithin based delivery system of curcumin, at 2 g per day (arm 1), or with topical steroids alone (arm 2), both for 12 weeks. At the beginning (T0) and at the end of the therapy (T12), clinical assessment and immunoenzymatic analysis of the serum levels of IL-17 and IL-22 were performed. At T12, both groups achieved a significant reduction of PASI values that, however, was higher in patients treated with both topical steroids and oral curcumin than in patients treated only with topical steroids. Moreover, IL-22 serum levels were significantly reduced in patients treated with oral curcumin. In conclusion, curcumin was demonstrated to be effective as an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris and to significantly reduce serum levels of IL-22.

Lifestyle medicine

Fundamental Clinical Imbalances : Immune and inflammation ; Structural
Patient Centred Factors : Mediators/Curcumin
Environmental Inputs : Diet ; Nutrients
Personal Lifestyle Factors : Nutrition
Functional Laboratory Testing : Blood
Bioactive Substances : Curcumin

Methodological quality

Jadad score : 4
Allocation concealment : No

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