Oral curcumin in the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis vulgaris: A prospective clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
There is a need for safe, inexpensive, and effective psoriasis therapies. Many anecdotal accounts of patients' successful treatment with the alternative medicine curcumin exist.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine the safety and efficacy of oral curcumin in patients with psoriasis.


METHODS
We conducted a phase II, open-label, Simon's two-stage trial of 4.5 g/d of oral curcuminoid C3 complex in patients with plaque psoriasis. End points included improvement in Physicians Global Assessment score, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score, and safety end points throughout the study.


RESULTS
The intention-to-treat analysis response rate was 16.7% (95% confidence interval: 2%, 48%) and both responders achieved a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index 75 score. There were no study-related adverse events that necessitated participant withdrawal.


CONCLUSIONS
Small sample size and lack of placebo group are limitations.


CONCLUSIONS
The response rate was low and possibly caused by a placebo effect or the natural history of psoriasis. Large placebo-controlled studies are necessary before recommending oral curcumin as a psoriasis treatment.
Kurd
Shanu Kohli
SK
Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
Smith
Nana
N
VanVoorhees
Abby
A
Troxel
Andrea B
AB
Badmaev
Vladimir
V
Seykora
John T
JT
Gelfand
Joel M
JM
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D003474:Curcumin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011565:Psoriasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D003474:Curcumin