Sabinsa’s curcuminoid improves cytokine levels in traumatic brain injury patients

06 Jul 2020 --- Supplementation with a combination of the curcuminoid C3 Complex and piperine BioPerine can significantly decrease pro-inflammatory cytokine leptins in critically ill patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). This is according to a new study published in Phytotherapy Research, which demonstrated the utility of combining the curcumin brand and the bioavailability enhancer to monitor the expression of cytokines in TBI patients. Moreover, it presents a new avenue of managing brain health with curcumin.

Dr. N. Kalyanam, President of R&D at Sabinsa, tells NutritionInsight that the study findings resulted in mixed feelings. “[We were surprised] because the trial involved critically ill patients and the levels of the inflammatory adipokine leptin were seen to be reduced within this short trial period of seven days. [However, we were not surprised] because Curcumin C3 Complex is known to have modulatory effects on various cytokines, and BioPerine, in addition to it enhancing the bioavailability of curcuminoids, is an effective cytokine level modulator.”

More specifically, the researchers found a significant reduction in serum levels of leptin in both curcuminoids (47 percent) and placebo (23 percent) groups, although the magnitude of reduction was greater in the former.

The study assessed the effects of supplementation with curcuminoids on serum concentrations of the cytokines leptin, the hormone responsible for satiety, and adiponectin, a protein hormone, in 62 critically ill TBI patients aged 18 to 65 years. The study participants were randomly allocated to receive either 500 mg per day of C3 Complex co‐administered with 5 mg of BioPerine or matched placebo for seven days.

“It is heartening to note that there were only benefits and no adverse side effects for this group of subjects, further attesting to our ingredient’s safety,” comments Dr. Muhammad Majeed, Sabinsa Founder and Chairman.

While monitoring the levels of beneficial anti-inflammatory cytokine adiponectin, the research team did not find supplementation with curcuminoids to alter serum concentrations of adiponectin. Neither did it show any significant effect on adiponectin levels in the patients. This is due to the short seven-day duration of the trial and subsequent clinical trials are warranted to “confirm the study’s findings,” the researchers state.

BioPerine has been used as a bioavailability enhancer for over 20 years, says Sabinsa. (Photo credit: BioPerine)Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells that triggers the sensation of satiety once having eaten enough. While leptin is often associated with food intake and energy expenditure, Sabinsa highlights that its importance in aging conditions, serious illness and stressful injuries is increasingly recognized.

Moreover, TBI results in devastating long-term functional damage as the natural inflammatory response to injury prevents regrowth. “This stops or prevents the healing process. So it’s critical that you find a natural way to stop the inflammation and scarring, yet encourage healing,” Dr. Richard Williams, RMIT University, Australia, explained to NutritionInsight in a previous interview on TBI.

Keen on curcuminoids
C3 Complex is an effective “bioprotectant” antioxidant, says Sabinsa, quenching free radicals and also preventing their formation. Curcuminoids do not cause gastrointestinal side effects or ulcers and do support a healthy immune system.

Curcuminoids are some of the most intensively studied herbal constituents, touted for a health halo that expands into joint, liver and gut health spaces. Last November, NutritionInsight spoke to Dr. Majeed about the core findings of his Reductive Metabolites of Curcuminoids.

BioPerine is a patented extract obtained from black pepper fruits standardized to a minimum of 95 percent piperine. The Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status-approved natural bioavailability enhancer can enhance the absorptions of nutrients by at least 30 percent. This makes for a potent combination with curcumin, which is known for its poor bioavailability.

Curcuminoids, curcumin and turmeric are not interchangeable terms – but they are closely linked. Curcuminoids are sets of molecules within the root turmeric (Curcuma longa), with different chemical groups that naturally form to increase solubility and make them suitable for drug formulation. Curcumin is the main curcuminoid that occurs naturally in the spice turmeric and is often pinpointed as being the potent driver of the root’s therapeutic properties.

“Turmeric contains 2 to 5 percent of curcuminoids and it is the curcuminoids fraction of turmeric that has the greatest impact on supporting good immune function. The incorporation of Curcumin C3 Complex, either as nutritional supplement or in food, will foster proper immune function,” Dr. Kalyanam concludes.

By Anni Schleicher