In this study, curcumin therapy was titrated and evaluated in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to evaluate its possible dosage. Prospectively, patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis in remission or with mild disease (Pediatric Crohn’s Disease Activity Index [PCDAI] < 30 or Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index [PUCAI] score < 34) were enrolled in a tolerability study. All patients received curcumin in addition to their standard therapy. Patients initially received 500mg twice per day for 3 weeks. Using the forced-dose titration design, doses were increased up to 1g twice per day at week 3 for a total of 3 weeks and then titrated again to 2g twice per day at week 6 for 3 weeks. Validated measures of disease activity, using the PUCAI and PCDAI, and the Monitoring of Side Effect System score were obtained at weeks 3, 6, and 9. The results showed that all patients tolerated curcumin well, with the only symptom that was consistently reported during all 3 visits being an increase in gassiness, which occurred in only 2 patients. Three patients saw improvement in PUCAI/PCDAI score. The authors conclude that curcumin may be used as an adjunctive therapy for individuals seeking a combination of conventional medicine and alternative medicine. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2013. PMID: 23059643.
