A Controlled Study of a Lecithinized Delivery System of Curcumin (Meriva®) to Alleviate the Adverse Effects of Cancer Treatment

Abstract

A proprietary lecithin delivery system of curcumin (Meriva) was evaluated in a controlled study to assess its efficacy in alleviating the side effects of cancer chemo-and radiotherapy in 160 patients undergoing these treatments. In both cases, a semi-quantitative evaluation of the side effects was carried out using a visual analogue scale, assessing also the plasma free radical status in all patients. Results showed that lecithinized curcumin might alleviate the burden of side effects associated to chemo-and radiotherapy, suggesting that the anecdotal use of various preparations of curcumin as a supportive agent for cancer treatment is well worth a systematic investigation in larger scale clinical trials. The capacity of curcumin to upregulate anti-oxidative responses and downregulate inflammatory pathways could explain its beneficial effect in tempering the prolonged and systemic oxidative and inflammatory effects of cancer treatment, and the beneficial effects observed in the plasma oxidative status in all patients of the treatment group support this view.

Effects of Turmeric ( Curcuma longa) Extract in streptozocin‐induced diabetic model

“…Previous reports show that at low dose, curcumin repaired and regenerated liver tissues by redeveloping liver microvascular in diabetic rats. Clinical trials using Meriva®, a lecithinized formulation of curcumin (Belcaro et al, ), had beneficial effects on microcirculation and edema in diabetic microangiopathy and retinopathy (Belcaro et al, ). Curcumin is a cheap nutritional ingredient with negligible side effects at low doses.…”

Adjuvant Therapy with Bioavailability‐Boosted Curcuminoids Suppresses Systemic Inflammation and Improves Quality of Life in Patients with Solid Tumors: A Randomized Double‐Blind Placebo‐Controlled Trial

“…Notwithstanding these biochemical improvements, the efficacy of curcuminoids in reducing clinical outcomes has been controversial. Belcaro et al (2013) reported a significant effect of 4-month treatment with Meriva ® in improving QoL and reducing the burden side effects associated with chemotherapy or radiotherapy in 160 cancer patients. Combination therapy with curcuminoids (480 mg) and quercetin (20 mg) for 6 months was reported to reduce both the size and number of colorectal polyps in a small study in five patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (Cruz-Correa et al, 2006).…”

Reduction of delayed onset muscle soreness by a novel curcumin delivery system (Meriva®): a randomised, placebo-controlled trial

“…Curcumin, a powerful promoter of anti-oxidant response [16], is one of the best investigated natural products [17], and is now commercially available in a lecithin delivery system (Meriva®, Indena SpA, Milan) that improves curcuminoids bio-availability. This formulation has accumulated significant clinical documentation of efficacy in various conditions triggered and/or sustained by chronic inflammation, like diabetic microangiopathy and retinopathy [18], central serous chorioretinopathy [19], benign prostatic hyperplasia [20], chemotherapy-related adverse effects in cancer patients [21] and osteoarthritis [22]. In addition, curcumin as Meriva® was also recently validated as an analgesic agent with potency at least comparable to that of acetaminophen [23].…”