Safety and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Curcumin: A Component of Tumeric ( Curcuma longa )

Chainani-Wu, Nita

doi:10.1089/107555303321223035

Cited by 1,106Curcumin's Biomedical ApplicationsGinger and Zingiberaceae researchSaffron Plant Research Studies

Safety and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Curcumin: A Component of Tumeric ( Curcuma longa )

Chainani-Wu, Nita·2003·The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

DOI 10.1089/107555303321223035

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Tumeric is a spice that comes from the root Curcuma longa, a member of the ginger family, Zingaberaceae. In Ayurveda (Indian traditional medicine), tumeric has been used for its medicinal properties for various indications and through different routes of administration, including topically, orally, and by inhalation. Curcuminoids are components of tumeric, which include mainly curcumin (diferuloyl methane), demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcmin. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this systematic review of the literature was to summarize the literature on the safety and anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin. METHODS: A search of the computerized database MEDLINE (1966 to January 2002), a manual search of bibliographies of papers identified through MEDLINE, and an Internet search using multiple search engines for references on this topic was conducted. The PDR for Herbal Medicines, and four textbooks on herbal medicine and their bibliographies were also searched. RESULTS: A large number of studies on curcumin were identified. These included studies on the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal properties of curcuminoids. Studies on the toxicity and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin have included in vitro, animal, and human studies. A phase 1 human trial with 25 subjects using up to 8000 mg of curcumin per day for 3 months found no toxicity from curcumin. Five other human trials using 1125-2500 mg of curcumin per day have also found it to be safe. These human studies have found some evidence of anti-inflammatory activity of curcumin. The laboratory studies have identified a number of different molecules involved in inflammation that are inhibited by curcumin including phospholipase, lipooxygenase, cyclooxygenase 2, leukotrienes, thromboxane, prostaglandins, nitric oxide, collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interferon-inducible protein, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin-12 (IL-12). CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin has been demonstrated to be safe in six human trials and has demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity. It may exert its anti-inflammatory activity by inhibition of a number of different molecules that play a role in inflammation.

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In a phase I trial with 25 healthy subjects, curcumin up to 8000 mg/day for 3 months did not show any toxicity.
“In a phase I trial with 25 healthy subjects, curcumin up to 8000 mg/day for 3 months did not show any toxicity [136].”
From Indian Medicinal Herbs and Formulations for Alzheimer’s Disease, from Traditional Knowledge to Scientific Assessment (2020) · cites this paper as [136]

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Authors: Chainani-Wu, N.
Affiliations: Department of Stomatology, University of California, San Francisco, CA
Venue: The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2003-02
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
Pages: 161-168
ISSN: 1075-5535 (ISSN-L)
1557-7708
DOI: 10.1089/107555303321223035
OpenAlex: W2167639932
Cited by: 1,106
References: 48
Citations by year: 2026: 28 · 2025: 49 · 2024: 59 · 2023: 69 · 2022: 76 · 2021: 70 · 2020: 137 · 2019: 59 · 2018: 56 · 2017: 69 · 2016: 39 · 2015: 45 · 2014: 40 · 2013: 47 · 2012: 37
FWCI: 11.52
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: National Institutes of Health
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (T32DE007204, K16DE000386)
Topics: Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Medicine › Curcumin's Biomedical Applications
Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmacology › Ginger and Zingiberaceae research
Health Sciences › Medicine › Oncology › Saffron Plant Research Studies
Keywords: curcumin, turmeric, safety, toxicity, anti-inflammatory activity, curcuminoids, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin, antioxidant activity, cyclooxygenase-2, phospholipase inhibition, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, nitric oxide, TNF-α, IL-12, Ayurveda
MeSH terms: Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal, Antineoplastic Agents, Curcumin, Homeopathy, Humans, Phytotherapy, Plant Structures

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Safety and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Curcumin: A Component of Tumeric ( Curcuma longa )

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