Patent ID: 8058314

Claim:
A method of reducing the basal nasal potential difference (NPD) in an individual suffering from or at risk of cystic fibrosis (CF), the method comprising the step of: administering to an individual who carries a genetic mutation that generates an active but misfolded or misassembled cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein, which active but misfolded or misassembled CFTR protein is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to a greater degree than is correctly folded and assembled CFTR protein such that the individual suffers from or is susceptible to CF a composition comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of curcumin I, curcumin II, curcumin III, or a combination of the foregoing, to the individual to achieve a statistically significant reduction in basal NPD; and detecting the statistically significant reduction in basal NPD.