A potential role of the curry spice curcumin in Alzheimer's disease

Curr Alzheimer Res. 2005 Apr;2(2):131-6. doi: 10.2174/1567205053585882.

Abstract

There is substantial in-vitro data indicating that curcumin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-amyloid activity. In addition, studies in animal models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) indicate a direct effect of curcumin in decreasing the amyloid pathology of AD. As the widespread use of curcumin as a food additive and relatively small short-term studies in humans suggest safety, curcumin is a promising agent in the treatment and/or prevention of AD. Nonetheless, important information regarding curcumin bioavailability, safety and tolerability, particularly in an elderly population is lacking. We are therefore performing a study of curcumin in patients with AD to gather this information in addition to data on the effect of curcumin on biomarkers of AD pathology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Alzheimer Disease / prevention & control
  • Animals
  • Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic / methods
  • Curcuma*
  • Curcumin / chemistry
  • Curcumin / isolation & purification
  • Curcumin / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Phytotherapy / methods
  • Spices

Substances

  • Curcumin