Curcumin-QingDai Combination as Treatment for Moderate-Severe Ulcerative Colitis

We report on the use of curcumin-QingDai combination (CurQD) for the treatment of moderate-severe UC. Patient 1 was a 24-year-old male with severe UC refractory to cyclosporine and corticosteroids. He partially responded to infliximab but later lost response to an optimized dose of infliximab in combination with 6-mercaptopurine, presenting with worsening symptoms and severe Mayo 3 mucosal inflammation. Initiation of CurQD 2.5 g/day resulted in rapid cessation of blood per rectum. Complete clinical remission ensued within few weeks. Follow-up endoscopies performed 12 weeks later showed only minimal residual inflammation. Infliximab was later stopped due to reimbursement issues, and the patient was successfully maintained on lower doses of CurQD and 6-mercaptopurine for 31 months. Two flares have responded to a temporary increase in QD component dose. Patient 2 was a 59-year-old female with extensive UC not responding to maximal oral + topical 5-ASA and corticosteroids. Despite severe mucosal ulceration (Mayo 3) found on endoscopy, she refused the recommendation for biologics and opted for a short-term limited trial of CurQD. This was initiated at 2,000 mg/day and induced rapid clinical remission. Lower endoscopies performed after 2 and 5 months on CurQD showed complete mucosal healing, and the patient maintained her clinical remission on low-dose CurQD for 49 months. No adverse events were noted in the 2 patients.Case Rep Gastroenterol 2022;16:563 –568
Source: Case Reports in Gastroenterology - Category: Gastroenterology Source Type: research