The effect of curcumin adjuvant therapy on pulmonary function and levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and superoxide dismutase-3 (EC-SOD3) in patients with chronic bronchial asthma

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of curcumin supplements as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in patients with chronic bronchial asthma. Forty patients diagnosed with chronic bronchial asthma were enrolled in this study. 17 patients were allocated in group 1 with conventional therapy of asthma and 23 patients were put in group 2 with conventional therapy of asthma combined with 750mg curcumin supplement twice daily for two months. Pulmonary function test, asthma control test, and measurements of serum interleukin-6 and serum extracellular superoxide dismutase 3 were performed before and after two months in both study groups. After two months, the mean values of pulmonary function test (spirometry) and asthma control score showed a significant increase compared to pre-treatment values in group 2 patients (P<0.01). After two months, there was a marked decrease in the level of interleukin-6 in group 2 patients (p< 0.05) compared to the group 1 patients. The mean level of superoxide dismutase 3 did not show any increase in both study groups. Curcumin supplement produced improvement in pulmonary function of patients with chronic bronchial asthma along with the reduction in inflammatory status. No change in endogenous oxidative status after curcumin supplementation.