Randomized Pharmacokinetic Crossover Study Comparing 2 Curcumin Preparations in Plasma and Rectal Tissue of Healthy Human Volunteers

Asher GN, Xie Y, Moaddel R, Sanghvi M, Dossou KS, Kashuba AD, Sandler RS, Hawke RL · Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

Dose-adjusted plasma AUC did not differ between the two preparations, but dose-adjusted rectal tissue curcumin was 5-fold higher for the phytosome; in absolute terms the standard extract, at ten times the curcumin dose, left twice the tissue conjugate concentration (363 against 177 ng/mL). The authors conclude tissue exposure in the gut reflects luminal contact rather than plasma disposition, and that absorption gains are not uniform across the individual curcuminoids.

Population

Healthy volunteers, randomized crossover, at steady state

Intervention

Phosphatidylcholine (phytosome) curcumin extract

Comparator

Standard curcumin extract at a 10-fold higher curcumin dose

Limitations

Rectal mucosa is a gut-contact tissue and says nothing about distribution to a joint; 12 of 16 completed both periods, at steady state after seven daily doses. NIH-funded, Meriva supplied by Indena, no conflicts declared. Read as the NIH author manuscript.