title: Curcumin for the treatment of major depression: a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Curcumin, the principal curcuminoid derived from the spice turmeric, influences several biological mechanisms associated with major depression, namely those associated with monoaminergic activity, immune-inflammatory and oxidative and nitrosative stress pathways, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity and neuroprogression. We hypothesised that curcumin would be effective for the treatment of depressive symptoms in individuals with major depressive disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 56 individuals with major depressive disorder were treated with curcumin (500 mg twice daily) or placebo for 8 weeks. The primary measure was the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology self-rated version (IDS-SR30). Secondary outcomes included IDS-SR30 factor scores and the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  From baseline to week 4, both curcumin and placebo were associated with improvements in IDS-SR30 total score and most secondary outcome measures. From weeks 4 to 8, curcumin was significantly more effective than placebo in improving several mood-related symptoms, demonstrated by a significant group x time interaction for IDS-SR30 total score (F1, 53=4.22, p=.045) and IDS-SR30 mood score (F1, 53=6.51, p=.014), and a non-significant trend for STAI trait score (F1, 48=2.86, p=.097). Greater efficacy from curcumin treatment was identified in a subgroup of individuals with atypical depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Partial support is provided for the antidepressant effects of curcumin in people with major depressive disorder, evidenced by benefits occurring 4 to 8 weeks after treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Investigations with larger sample sizes, over extended treatment periods, and with varying curcumin dosages are required.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia 6150, Australia. Electronic address: a.lopresti@murdoch.edu.au.
authors.forename: Adrian L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Lopresti
authors.affiliation: Impact Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maes
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
authors.forename: Garth L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Maker
authors.affiliation: School of Psychiatry & Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Sean D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Hood
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Exercise Science, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Drummond
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014904:Western Australia
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D003474:Curcumin
keywords: Antidepressant; Clinical trial; Curcumin; Depression; Turmeric