Curcumin-QingDai Combination as Treatment for Moderate-Severe Ulcerative Colitis

Curcumin was shown in placebo-controlled trials to induce remission in mild-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC). QingDai (QD, Indigo), another herbal extract, showed efficacy in two UC trials from Japan, but evidence in the Western population is scant. We report on the use of curcumin-QingDai combination (CurQD) for the treatment of moderate-severe UC. Patient 1 was a 24-year-old male with severe UC refractory to cyclosporine and corticosteroids. He partially responded to infliximab but later lost response to an optimized dose of infliximab in combination with 6-mercaptopurine, presenting with worsening symptoms and severe Mayo 3 mucosal inflammation. Initiation of CurQD 2.5 g/day resulted in rapid cessation of blood per rectum. Complete clinical remission ensued within few weeks. Follow-up endoscopies performed 12 weeks later showed only minimal residual inflammation. Infliximab was later stopped due to reimbursement issues, and the patient was successfully maintained on lower doses of CurQD and 6-mercaptopurine for 31 months. Two flares have responded to a temporary increase in QD component dose. Patient 2 was a 59-year-old female with extensive UC not responding to maximal oral + topical 5-ASA and corticosteroids. Despite severe mucosal ulceration (Mayo 3) found on endoscopy, she refused the recommendation for biologics and opted for a short-term limited trial of CurQD. This was initiated at 2,000 mg/day and induced rapid clinical remission. Lower endoscopies performed after 2 and 5 months on CurQD showed complete mucosal healing, and the patient maintained her clinical remission on low-dose CurQD for 49 months. No adverse events were noted in the 2 patients.