A Presurgical Study of Curcumin Combined with Anthocyanin Supplements in Patients with Colorectal Adenomatous Polyps

Abstract

Adenomatous polyps are precancerous lesions associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Curcumin and anthocyanins have shown promising CRC-preventive activity in preclinical and epidemiological studies. The objective of this window-of-opportunity, proof-of principle trial was to evaluate the effect of curcumin combined with anthocyanin supplements on tissue biomarkers of colorectal adenomatous polyps. Eligible patients received either anthocyanin and curcumin supplementation or related matching placebo for 4–6 weeks before polyp removal. Adenomatous polyps and adjacent tissue biopsies were collected at baseline and after supplementation for immunohistochemical assessment of β-catenin, NF-kappa B (NF-κB), Ki-67, P53, and dysplasia. No differences were observed in baseline biomarker expression between normal and dysplastic tissues. The combination of anthocyanins and curcumin resulted in a significant borderline reduction of NF-κB immunohistochemistry (IHC) expression in adenoma tissue (geometric mean ratio (GMR): 0.72; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.51–1.00; p-value: 0.05) and a trend to a reduction of Ki-67 (GMR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.50–1.08; p-value: 0.11). No significant modulation of biomarkers in normal adjacent mucosa was observed. We concluded that the combined supplementation of anthocyanins and curcumin seems to lead to a potentially favorable modulation of tissue biomarkers of inflammation and proliferation in colon adenomas.

Inhibition and potential treatment of colorectal cancer by natural compounds via various signaling pathways

“…These derivatives have greatly expanded the clinical application prospects of CCM ( 31 ). Notably, regulation of the NF-κB pathway by CMM was confirmed in a clinical trial in which the combined use of anthocyanins and CCM significantly decreased the expression of NF-κB ( 32 ).…”

Curcumin Formulations for Better Bioavailability: What We Learned from Clinical Trials Thus Far?

“…179,196,197 In another study, Meriva with anthocyanin has shown improvement in colorectal adenomatous polypos symptoms and it reduced NF-κB and Ki67 levels. 198 Further, another Meriva formulation called Algocur (each tablet contains 1g of Meriva) improved physical performance and reduced pain in men rugby players with osteo-muscular pain. 199 This formulation also showed to be safe and well-tolerated among these men.…”

Role of Turmeric and Curcumin in Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases: Lessons Learned from Clinical Trials

“…Treatment with curcumin (3000 mg/day) for 12 months had no effect on polyp number and size in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis . Another study showed that presurgical curcumin (500 mg/day) with Mirtoselect (extract of Vaccinium myrtillus ) reduced NF-κB and Ki-67 expression in colorectal adenomatous polyposis ( n = 35) . A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial showed that administration of FLOVOMEGA (80 g/day) containing ascorbic acid, acetyl carnitine-l-HCl, baicalin, coenzyme Q10, phospholipidated curcumin, fructose, green tea catechins, and skullcap reduced serum CK levels and improved walking distance in 29 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD), or Limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) …”