Turmeric May Improve Cystic Fibrosis 33023

Turmeric May Improve Cystic Fibrosis

NEW HAVEN, Conn.Curcumin, a majorconstituent of the spice turmeric, may help correct cystic fibrosis (CF)defects, according to researchers at Yale University School of Medicine. Thestudy is published in the April 23 issue of Science (304,5670:600- 2, 2004).

In most common forms of CF, a responsible protein (CTFR) istrapped inside the cells of the airways and gastrointestinal tract, inhibitingnormal secretion of ions and fluid that eventually can lead to a buildup ofmucous clogs in the lungs and the pancreas. However, in the study, researchers found 45 mg/kg bodyweight/d of curcumin administered to mice with CF helped release the proteinfrom the cells. The treatment was either given once per day, or as a divideddose administered three times per day.

After having received curcumin treatment, mice with thegenetic defect that causes CF survived at a rate almost equal to normal mice,said Gergely Lukacs, M.D., Ph.D., one of the studys authors. The CFTRprotein also functioned normally in the cells lining the nose and rectum, whichare areas of the body affected by CF.

Plans for a human clinical trial using curcumin are underway,which will be carried out under the auspices of Cystic Fibrosis FoundationTherapeutics Inc., according to Michael Caplan, M.D., Ph.D., the studyssenior author and professor at Yale University School of Medicine. In thenext phase of research, we will work to determine precisely how curcumin isachieving these effects and to optimize its potential as a possible drug, hesaid.