A Pilot Study of Curcumin and Ginkgo for Treating Alzheimer's Disease
Summary
The purpose of this study is to develop procedures for testing the effectiveness of curcumin on slowing Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression.
Description
A double-blind, randomized, clinical trial of 30 subjects will be carried out to develop procedures for testing the effectiveness of curcumin on slowing Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression. Curcumin is a polyphenolic molecule extracted from turmeric and is widely and safely used as a yellow food coloring. Because of its strong anti-inflammatory activity, curcumin was tested in animal models of AD, where it significantly reduced levels of brain amyloid, oxidized proteins, and isoprostanes, and prevented cognitive deficits. AD patients will receive placebo, 1 g, or 4 g of curcumin daily for six months. All patients will also receive 120 mg ginkgo leaf extract daily. At 0, 1, 3, and 6 months of the study, a cognitive test will be performed, and blood samples will be analyzed for levels of isoprostane, amyloid beta protein, metals, and cholesterol. Curcumin and its metabolites will be measured in blood at 1 month. The primary objective for this first human study of curcumin in AD is to examine safety and procedures for a possible larger trial testing curcumin against AD. The secondary objective is to determine whether curcumin affects biochemical measures, and, if so, which dose is most effective. The tertiary objective is to determine whether curcumin slows cognitive decline in AD. This study may lead to inexpensive treatment that delays progression of AD.
Study Design
Allocation: Randomized, Control: Placebo Control, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double-Blind, Primary Purpose: Treatment
Conditions
Alzheimer's Disease
Intervention
Placebo and ginkgo extract, Curcumin and ginkgo extract, Curcumin and ginkgo extract
Location
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Shatin
Hong Kong
Status
Completed
Source
Chinese University of Hong Kong
Results (where available)
Links
- Source: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00164749
- Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on July 15, 2010
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Ginkgo Biloba
The only specie of the genus Ginkgo, family Ginkgoacea. It is the source of extracts of medicinal interest, especially Egb 761. Ginkgo may refer to the genus or species.
Ginkgolides
DITERPENES with three LACTONES and a unique tert-butyl group, which are found in GINKGO plants along with BILOBALIDES.
Bilobalides
A degraded form of GINKGOLIDES that have three LACTONES and a unique tert-butyl group which are found in GINKGO plants.
Curcumin
A yellow-orange dye obtained from tumeric, the powdered root of CURCUMA longa. It is used in the preparation of curcuma paper and the detection of boron. Curcumin appears to possess a spectrum of pharmacological properties, due primarily to its inhibitory effects on metabolic enzymes.
Thyroid Extract, Desiccated
A dehydrated extract of thyroid glands. After the removal of fat and connective tissue, the extract is dried or lyophilized to yield a yellowish to buff-colored amorphous powder containing 0.17-0.23% of iodine.
Clinical Trials
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PubMed Articles
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Evaluation of Ginkgo biloba extract as an activator of human glucocorticoid receptor.
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Modulation of CYP1A1 activity by a Ginkgo biloba extract in the human intestinal Caco-2 cells.
Ginkgo biloba is a widely consumed dietary supplement. Some dietary active compounds modulate the activity of biotransformation enzymes inside the enterocytes and more interestingly of cytochrome P-45...
