Medical Researches
Possibly Effective
Based on 14 Researches
Curcumin enhances hepcidin levelsSuppression of Growth Differentiation Factor 15 Gene Expression by Curcumin in Patients with Beta-Thalassemia Intermedia.
Highly relevant to anemia treatment
We explored the effects of curcumin on patients with beta-thalassemia intermedia, a condition characterized by anemia and iron overload due to insufficient production of hepcidin. Designed as a randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial, our study aimed to see if curcumin could influence gene expressions of hepcidin and growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), which are linked to iron metabolism.
Throughout the three-month treatment period, we observed noteworthy changes among the participants. Those who received curcumin showed a significant reduction in GDF-15 expression. Even more impressive was the remarkable 10.1-fold increase in hepcidin levels in the curcumin group compared to the placebo group. This suggests that curcumin may alleviate the suppression of hepcidin that often leads to iron overload in anemia cases.
Overall, these findings encourage us to consider curcumin as a potential treatment in managing iron-loading anemias, such as beta-thalassemia intermedia. It holds promise for enhancing hepcidin levels, which could help address the complications associated with this condition.
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We set out to understand how curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, affects people with beta-thalassemia intermedia, particularly focusing on iron overload, a common issue in this condition. Our study was carefully designed as a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial. This means that neither the participants nor the researchers knew who was receiving the curcumin treatment or the placebo, which helps ensure the results are reliable.
We conducted blood tests before and after the treatment to measure various iron-related indicators like serum iron, ferritin, and transferrin levels. To our delight, we observed that participants receiving curcumin showed significant reductions in serum iron and ferritin levels compared to those on placebo. Specifically, serum iron levels decreased with a p-value of less than 0.001, and ferritin levels dropped with a p-value of 0.002. Additionally, transferrin saturation also significantly improved in the group taking curcumin.
Overall, our findings suggest that curcumin can be an effective option for managing iron overload in patients dealing with beta-thalassemia intermedia. This provides hope for new strategies in treating this challenging aspect of the disease.
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We explored the effects of trienone analogs of curcuminoids on fetal hemoglobin (HbF) synthesis, particularly for treating anemia related to β-thalassemia. These compounds are derived from turmeric and have shown promise in improving HbF levels in blood cells.
Our research focused on their ability to demethylate the γ-globin gene promoter, which plays a crucial role in HbF production. We found that all three trienone analogs not only induced HbF synthesis in erythroleukemic K562 cell lines but also in primary erythroid progenitor cells taken from patients with β-thalassemia/HbE.
Among them, the trienone analog of bis-demethoxycurcumin (T-BDMC) was the most effective, showing a remarkable 2.4-fold increase in HbF levels. Furthermore, we discovered that these compounds significantly reduced DNA methylation at certain critical sites in the γ-globin gene promoter, which was associated with the increase in HbF production.
These findings suggest that turmeric-derived curcuminoids and their trienone analogs could serve as a useful treatment option for improving fetal hemoglobin synthesis, particularly for those affected by β-thalassemia and similar conditions, although they do not isolate the effects of turmeric solely on anemia.
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Curcumin aids anemia managementIron chelation effect of curcumin and baicalein on aplastic anemia mouse model with iron overload.
Curcumin's effectiveness is unclear
This study aimed to find out if curcumin, a compound found in turmeric, can help with anemia, especially in cases where there's an iron overload. A mouse model of aplastic anemia was created to observe how curcumin, along with baicalein and a control drug called deferoxamine, influenced blood cell counts and iron levels.
We set up various treatment groups, including those receiving low and high doses of curcumin and baicalein, alongside groups receiving deferoxamine and control groups. After treatment, we looked at several health indicators like white blood cells and hemoglobin levels. Results showed that both curcumin and baicalein significantly improved white blood cell and hemoglobin counts compared to the anemia model group. Their ability to reduce bone marrow cell death also contributed to these improvements.
Additionally, both substances seemed to help manage iron in the body, promoting the production of proteins that control iron levels. However, while curcumin and baicalein were beneficial to some extent, their effects on platelets were not as significant and were less effective than deferoxamine.
Ultimately, we found that curcumin and baicalein help protect bone marrow cells from damage caused by iron overload and can enhance blood health in situations of aplastic anemia.
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We investigated the effects of turmeric on iron deficiency anemia through an intriguing case study involving a 66-year-old physician. After using six daily capsules of turmeric extract to manage inflammation from osteoarthritis, he experienced symptoms consistent with iron deficiency, marked by persistently low hemoglobin levels.
Despite thorough medical evaluations including endoscopies and Hemoccult tests that showed no signs of bleeding, his iron and ferritin levels remained indicative of deficiency. Remarkably, just two weeks after halting turmeric and resuming his typical iron supplement, his hemoglobin levels returned to normal along with other iron study results.
Our findings suggest that turmeric may hinder iron absorption in the gut, aligning with previous animal studies. This case could represent a significant insight into how turmeric supplements relate to iron deficiency anemia in humans. Given the popularity of turmeric in many dietary and health practices, this may warrant further examination to understand its broader health implications.
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User Reviews
Curcumin did not cause any side effects and effectively helped with my iron deficiency anaemia and other issues. I noticed a significant improvement in my condition. This polyphenol works at the cellular level.
I was pleased with this drug as it did not cause any side effects and significantly improved my condition concerning iron deficiency anaemia. Curcumin, a polyphenol, works at the cellular level to remove toxins, relieve inflammation, and break down bad cholesterol, among other benefits.
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