Five patients (aged 28-54 years) with ulcerative proctitis or proctosigmoiditis, who had complained of symptoms for 1-32 years, received 550 mg of curcumin twice a day for 1 month, and then 550 mg 3 times a day for 1 month. All five patients improved, with reductions in concomitant medication use in four. The improvement in Global score ranged from 15% to 75%. Five patients with Crohn's disease received 360 mg of curcumin 3 times a day for 1 month and then 360 mg 4 times a day for 2 months. Four of five patients improved, as demonstrated by decreases in Crohn's Disease Activity Index scores of 12.9-44% and reductions in sedimentation rates of 17-71%.

Comment: Curcumin is a component of the common spice, turmeric. Animal studies have demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin, and an uncontrolled trial in humans suggested that it might be beneficial in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The results of the present study suggest that curcumin may also be an effective treatment for inflammatory bowel disease. A larger, placebo-controlled trial would be worthwhile.

Holt PR, Katz S, Kirshoff R. Curcumin therapy in inflammatory bowel disease: a pilot study. Dig Dis Sci 2005;50:2191-2193.