Akay’s gene-regulating CurQfen shows potential for chronic inflammatory diseases, study finds

16 Dec 2021 --- A mouse study conducted by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) has found that Akay’s CurQfen, a curcumin-fenugreek supplement, shows potential in treating and preventing inflammation caused by chronic disease. Notably, CurQfen was found to act as a prophylactic agent, upregulating health-guarding genes and down-regulating disease-causing genes.

Of particular note was that genes which significantly upregulate during various cancer types got downregulated, and vice versa. Additionally, many differently expressed genes (DEGs) in various chronic inflammatory conditions, obesity, liver steatosis and cardiovascular diseases were modulated by treatment with CurQfen.

“The present study paves the way for a new area of nutraceuticals that CurQfen can be used in prophylaxis against chronic diseases,” a spokesperson tells NutritionInsight. 

Effective, but not miraculous 
Akay is careful to warn its results did not mean CurQfen could treat chronic diseases such as cancer itself. 

“Curcumin can modulate the genes in such a way to regulate chronic diseases. That is to prevent or alleviate the chronic diseases. Do not mistake the claim with treatment,” cautions Emmanuel Nambusseril warned the ingredient could not treat or cure serious chronic conditions.Nambusseril, chief marketing officer at Akay. 

“Rather it shows that CurQfen can modulate the genes and can better function as prophylaxis or for alleviation of discomforts associated with the chronic diseases, or to manage the side effects associated with the treatment,” he continues.

This has “major implications” regarding the protective role and potential application of CurQfen for those living with chronic diseases and conditions, according to Nambusseril. 

“This study is a proof-of-concept that curcumin can modulate the genes, and it acts as a pleiotropic mechanism for prophylaxis,” he says. 

“We hope that the present study will trigger more research into the area of how nutraceuticals can be delivered to act as prophylaxis or to modulate the side effects associated with the treatments of chronic diseases.”

Gene-regulating potential
A total of 91,333 DEGs were found in the mice. Of this, 48,456 were found to be upregulated, while 42,877 were downregulated between groups. The study found that 318 genes were upregulated and 241 were downregulated by CurQfen. The researchers said this points to its ability to act on multiple molecular targets.

In further analyses, 33 genes that were upregulated in the inflammatory conditions were significantly downregulated. A further 32 genes that were downregulated under inflammatory conditions were significantly upregulated after treatment. 

The study found that curcumin may serve multiple protective roles in vivo conditions. Previous experiments have looked at  curcumin’s potential under in vitro conditions, rather than in vivo, indicating further research is needed to explore the ingredient’s potential under various conditions. Akay supplied the researchers with CurQfen, allowing them to conduct the study.

Other clinical studies have highlighted curcumin’s numerous benefits. A recent study by Arjuna Naturals found that curcumin has neuroprotective potential, and mitigates the effects of aluminum build-up in the brain. 

The ingredient has a long history of advocacy within traditional medicine. This is a reflection of the strong market for herbs and spices as supplements for conditions ranging from inflammation to hypertension.

A 14-day study on lab mice
The study was conducted on 12 female lab mice, who were divided into a control group and an experimental group. Each mouse had their vital statistics recorded before the experiment commenced and inflammation was induced. 

The experimental group was given CurQfen for 14 days, after which they were culled according to guidelines set out by the Institute Animal Ethics Committee. Tissue samples were extracted, compared and analyzed. 

According to the researchers, the study was inspired by past postgenomic research, which found that uncontrolled inflammation has a significant role in many chronic diseases. The IIT study adds to the body of investigative work demonstrating the efficacy of curcumin supplements. 

Notably, one of the researchers involved in the study says the results may not be as significant with other non-CurQfen curcumin supplements. 

CurQfen has greater bioavailability than traditional curcumin supplements.“The key factor for such effects is the ability of a formulation to provide significantly high levels of free curcuminoids (>100 nM) in the systemic circulation for longer duration. CurQfen is providing this,” argues Dr. Ajai Kunnumekkara, one of the authors of the study. 

“The majority of the bioavailable formulations in the market place provide only curcumin glucuronides and curcumin sulfates, which gets eliminated quickly. The major challenge is to deliver the free form by overcoming the intestinal/liver conjugation. CurQfen does this naturally,” he claims.

CurQfen’s efficacy
CurQfen, also known as curcumagalactomannoside (CCM), was previously found by an Akay study to reduce joint pain with greater efficacy than alternative supplements. Akay also promotes the ingredient as supporting cognitive function and memory.  

As a highly hydrophobic molecule, traditional curcumin is difficult for the body to absorb. Even when absorbed, its efficacy is weaker than that of modified forms of curcumin. According to the researchers in the study, this has prompted efforts to create a form of curcumin that is more effective and more easily absorbed.

“The poor bioavailability of the bioactive forms of curcumin makes it less effective for the prevention and treatment of different diseases. Therefore, the last couple of decades witnessed different formulations of curcumin for achieving better systemic bioavailability,” the researchers flag.

Bioavailability has emerged as one of the keys to success within the nutraceutical market. Last year, NutritionInsight spoke to players within the nutraceutical industry about what bioavailability means for ingredient formulators.

Edited by Olivia Nelson