Turmeric Anti-Inflammatory and Cell-Damage Trial

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This trial will be conducted for the BBC. The aim of the project is to assess if consuming the spice turmeric every other day, in the amount consumed in a curry, can reduce cell damage and inflammation. The results of the project will be used to inform the TV program Trust Me I'm a Doctor.

Detailed Description
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100 volunteers will be recruited for a 6 week intervention. The study group will be divided into 3 arms, each with approximately. 33 participants; one arm will receive a placebo capsule, one arm will receive a capsule with 400mg of curcumin (corresponding to two teaspoons of turmeric powder). These treatments are done double-blind. A third arm is 'open label', these volunteers will receive a bag with at least 135g turmeric and be asked to add two teaspoon to their food. Participants will be asked to supplement their diet with turmeric (powder, capsule or placebo) every other day for six weeks. Participants will be asked to attend the NU-Food research facility on 3 occasions. The first will be a screening session where participants will be given the option to discuss the project with a researcher. Participants will complete a screening questionnaire and sign an informed consent form. On the next visit, participants will arrive at the research facility at a pre-arranged time and firstly have their height and weight measured. Participants will then give 10ml of blood via venepuncture and asked to provide a 10ml spot urine sample. After this participants will be randomly allocated a treatment group (placebo, turmeric capsule or turmeric powder) and given instructions on dosage. After a 6 week treatment period, participants will return to the research facility, have their height and weight measured then give a second 10ml venous blood sample and provide a final spot urine sample. Each visit will take around 20 minutes. The main outcomes of the trial are oxidative stress and inflammation tests which will be conducted by PB bioscience and an assessment of DNA methylation by University College London. Proteomics analysis will be conducted on Urine samples.

Official Title
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Turmeric Anti-Inflammatory and Cell-Damage Trial

Conditions
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Healthy Adults

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: Placebo comparator
* Dietary Supplement: Curcumin
* Dietary Supplement: Turmeric powder


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Aged 18 years and over No pre-existing medical conditions not currently taking prescribed drugs or over the counter supplements Male and female Exclusion Criteria: Any pre-existing medical condition Taking prescribed drugs or over the counter supplements Aged 17 years or under BMI > 40mg/m2 BP > 160/120

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 80 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Placebo Comparator: Placebo<br>Starch filled capsule | Dietary Supplement: Placebo comparator<br> <br> |
| Experimental: Curcumin<br>400mg of Curcumin via capsule to be consumed every other day | Dietary Supplement: Curcumin<br> <br> |
| Active Comparator: Turmeric powder<br>2 teaspoons of dried turmeric powder to be consumed every other day | Dietary Supplement: Turmeric powder<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change from baseline DNA methylation analyses based on the Illumina EPIC array |  | Baseline and 6 weeks post dose | 
| Change from baseline oxidative stress determination using whole-blood chemiluminescence assays |  | Baseline and 6 weeks post dose |