Adding 'spice' to curcumin’s health-promoting benefits
Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers
Abstract
The
medicinal properties of curcumin obtained from Curcuma longa L. cannot
be utilised because of poor bioavailability due to its rapid metabolism
in the liver and intestinal wall. In this study, the effect of combining
piperine, a known inhibitor of hepatic and intestinal glucuronidation,
was evaluated on the bioavailability of curcumin in rats and healthy
human volunteers. When curcumin was given alone, in the dose 2 g/kg to
rats, moderate serum concentrations were achieved over a period of 4 h.
Concomitant administration of piperine 20 mg/kg increased the serum
concentration of curcumin for a short period of 1-2 h post drug. Time to
maximum was significantly increased (P < 0.02) while elimination
half life and clearance significantly decreased (P < 0.02), and the
bioavailability was increased by 154%. On the other hand in humans after
a dose of 2 g curcumin alone, serum levels were either undetectable or
very low. Concomitant administration of piperine 20 mg produced much
higher concentrations from 0.25 to 1 h post drug (P < 0.01 at 0.25
and 0.5 h; P < 0.001 at 1 h), the increase in bioavailability was
2000%. The study shows that in the dosages used, piperine enhances the
serum concentration, extent of absorption and bioavailability of
curcumin in both rats and humans with no adverse effects.
No comments:
Post a Comment