AEGiS-GMHC: Common Alternative Therapies: Curcumin

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1993. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Common Alternative Therapies: Curcumin

Gay Men's Health Crisis: Treatment Issues, Volume 7 no. 11/12 - Winter, 1993/94
Bree Scott-Hartland

"Curcumin" is the main active ingredient found in turmeric, a spice used primarily in curry. It is responsible for the unique yellow coloring of foods with curry. A study published in the March 1993 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. evaluated three substances, including curcumin, for anti-HIV properties.[1] The two other substances analyzed were topatecan, which is currently being tested as a cancer treatment, and beta-lapachone, which has not been tested in humans, although lab and animal data suggest human dosages are possible.

The study reviewed many substances for a new class of compounds that would inhibit the Long Terminal Repeat (LTR) of HIV (LTR is believed to be critically important to turning on and maintaining HIV replication). These three compounds emerged as the most promising candidates that would inhibit the LTR.

Results suggested that topotecan was the most powerful anti-HIV compound and was well tolerated in cancer patients. Curcumin was less effective, but important because it is consumed readily in food and available to a broad range of populations. There is, however, no clear evidence, at this time, that curcumin has any real benefits other than as food coloring and flavoring. The third compound, beta-lapachone, had no human toxicity information available, but seems well tolerated in animal studies.

1. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, March 1993; 90:1839- 42.

Copyright (c) 1993 - Gay Men's Health Crisis. All rights reserved. Noncommercial reproduction is encouraged.
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Copyright © 1993 - Treatment Issues. Reproduced with permission. Treatment Issues is published twelve times yearly by GMHC, Inc. All rights reserved. Noncommercial reproduction is encouraged. Subscription lists are kept confidential. GMHC Treatment Issues, The Tisch Building, 119 West 24th Street, New York, NY 10011 fredg@gmhc.org http://www.gmhc.org

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