A curcumin-based 1-week triple therapy for eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection: something to learn from failure?

AbstractBackground:Curcumin is the principal element of turmeric powder extractedfrom the root ofCurcuma longa. Studies on curcumin have demonstrated someanti-Helicobacter pyloriactivity as well as immunomodulating properties. Nacetylcysteineand lactoferrin with their respective mucolytic and antibacterialactivities might also be effective inH. pylorieradication therapy.Aim:To determine if a 7-day non-antibiotic therapy comprised of curcumin,lactoferrin, N-acetylcysteine, and pantoprazole was effective for eradication ofH. pyloriinfection and reduction of gastric inflammation, assessed by serumpepsinogens and relief of symptoms.Subjects and Methods:Twenty-five consecutiveH. pylori-positive patients(12 males, mean age 50 ± 12 years, range 31–76) with functional dyspepsia wereenrolled. Patients were administered for 7 days curcumin 30 mg b.i.d., bovinelactoferrin 100 mg b.i.d., N-acetylcysteine 600 mg b.i.d., and pantoprazole20 mg b.i.d.H. pyloristatus and upper gastrointestinal symptoms were assessedby13C-urea breath test and a scale of upper gastrointestinal symptoms intensity(absent, mild, moderate, and severe), as well as a blood test for serum pepsinogens(sPGI, sPGII), gastrin-17 (G-17), and anti-H. pyloriIgG (IgG-Hp) at baseline (T0)and after 2 months (T1).Results:Three of 25 patients (12%) were cured ofH. pyloriinfection. A significantdecrease in the overall severity of symptoms (T0: 6, interquartile range [IQR]:4.5–8; T1: 2, IQR: 2–3;p!.001), and sPGII (T0: 16 μg/L, IQR: 13–22; T1: 10 μg/L,IQR: 8–16;p!.001) and sPGI (T0: 82 μg/L, IQR: 67–97; T1: 74 μg/L, IQR: 62–94;p= .02) levels were observed after 2 months of the treatment. IgG and G-17values did not significantly decrease after 2 months.Conclusions:This novel therapy was not effective forH. pylorieradication.However, despite the bacterium persistence, significant improvement ofdyspeptic symptoms and reduction of serologic signs of gastric inflammationwere observed after 2 months at the end of the 7-day treatment schedule