Effect of a herbal extract containing curcumin and piperine on midazolam, flurbiprofen and paracetamol (acetaminophen) pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers

Volak LP, Hanley MJ, Masse G, Hazarika S, Harmatz JS, Badmaev V, Majeed M, Greenblatt DJ, Court MH · British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

The interaction test that matters clinically, and it was negative: no meaningful change in Cmax, AUC, clearance, half-life or metabolites for midazolam (CYP3A), flurbiprofen (CYP2C9) or paracetamol (UGT and SULT), and no change in midazolam's sedative or EEG effects. Unconjugated curcumin and piperine were below assay thresholds throughout.

Population

Healthy volunteers, randomized placebo-controlled six-way crossover

Intervention

Curcuminoids 4 g plus piperine 24 mg, four doses over 2 days

Comparator

Matched placebo

Limitations

n=8 and two days of dosing, so chronic use and narrow-therapeutic-index drugs such as tacrolimus are not covered. NIH-supported (NCCAM training grants and an NIGMS grant); Sabinsa Corporation supplied the preparation and two of its scientists are authors.