Effect of Curcumin Supplementation During Radiotherapy on Oxidative Status of Patients with Prostate Cancer: A Double Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study

Abstract

Curcumin is an antioxidant agent with both radiosensitizing and radioprotective properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of curcumin supplementation on oxidative status of patients with prostate cancer who undergo radiotherapy. Forty patients treated with radiotherapy for prostate cancer were randomized to the curcumin (CG, n = 20) or placebo group (PG, n = 20). They received curcumin (total 3 g/day) or placebo during external-beam radiation therapy of up to 74 Gy. Plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured at baseline and 3 mo after radiotherapy completion. Analysis of covariance was used to compare the variables between groups following the intervention. Serum PSA levels and MRI/MRS images were investigated. In CG, TAC significantly increased (P < 0.001) and the activity of SOD decreased (P = 0.018) after radiotherapy compared with those at baseline. In CG, however, the activity of SOD had a significant reduction (P = 0.026) and TAC had a significant increase (P = 0.014) compared with those in PG. PSA levels were reduced to below 0.2 ng/ml in both groups, 3 mo after treatment, however, no significant differences were observed between the 2 groups regarding treatment outcomes.

Effect of the polyphenol composition BP‑C3 on haematological and intestinal indicators of 5‑fluorouracil toxicity in mice

“…Curcumin, a polyphenol of plant origin, has numerous molecular effects; in particular, it suppresses the transcription of nuclear factor-κB, and affects the receptors of various growth factors and cell adhesion molecules involved in tumour growth, angiogenesis and metastasis (36). Curcumin has a radioprotective or radiosensitising effect, depending on the dose, and these effects are now being actively studied to support the use of this product as an adjunct therapy for radio and chemotherapy (37). Thus, preparations that contain various polyphenols may be considered as promising adjunct therapies for oncology patients.…”

In Vitro-In Vivo Dose Response of Ursolic Acid, Sulforaphane, PEITC, and Curcumin in Cancer Prevention

“…Under the treatment with standard chemotherapy protocols, the bioavailable curcuminoid preparation (180 mg/day) for a period of 8weeks as adjuvant therapy in cancer patients with solid tumors can significantly improve quality of life and suppress systemic inflammation (113). In addition, in curcumin (total 3 g/day) with external-beam radiation therapy of up to 74 Gy patients with prostate cancer group, plasma total antioxidant capacity significantly increased and the activity of superoxide dismutase decreased compared with those at baseline (114). The clinical results still support the use of curcumin as an effective cancer preventive agent, particularly, in several colorectal cancer trials (115, 116).…”

Curcumin: A new candidate for melanoma therapy?

“…Finally, most of the evidence on the efficacy of curcumin against melanoma and other types of cancer pertains to preclinical studies. Although some clinical evidence exists that favors the benefits of curcumin supplementation in cancer patients,− clinical evidence is still scarce and a thorough outcome study is yet to be performed. Hence, clinical proof‐of‐concept investigations are required to verify the translational value of the reported anti‐tumor effects of curcumin in animal and cellular models of cancer.…”