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A novel highly bioavailable curcumin-galactomannan (CGM) formulation was shown to have improved blood-brain-barrier (BBB) permeability of free curcuminoids in animal models; however, this has not been established in humans. The present study was conducted to determine the functional effects of CGM on brain waves in healthy individuals, owing to its BBB permeability. A total of 18 healthy volunteers aged 35–65 were randomly assigned to consume 500 mg CGM, Unformulated curcumin (UC) or Placebo capsules twice daily for 30 days. Electroencephalogram (EEG) measurements, audio-visual reaction time tests and a working memory test were conducted at baseline and after 30 days. Supplementation of CGM resulted in a significant increase in α- and β-waves (p < 0.05) as well as a significant reduction in α/β ratio in comparison with unformulated curcumin and placebo groups. Furthermore, the CGM showed significant reduction in the audio-reaction time (29.8 %; p < 0.05) in comparison with placebo and 24.6% (p < 0.05) with unformulated curcumin. The choice-based visual-reaction time was also significantly decreased (36%) in CGM as compared to unformulated curcumin and placebo which produced 15.36% and 5.2% respectively. The observed increase in α and β waves and reduction in α/β ratio in the CGM group suggest that CGM can influence the brain waves in healthy subjects in a manner consistent with penetration of the blood-brain-barrier. The EEG results correlated with improved audio-visual and working memory tests which further support the role of CGM on memory improvements and fatigue reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the role of free curcuminoids bioavailability on the relative radioprotective efficacy of natural unformulated curcuminoids. A food-grade bioavailable formulation of curcuminoids as curcumagalactomannosides (CGM) and unformulated curcuminoids (UC) were employed for the study. Swiss albino mice were randomized into Normal control, Radiation control, Radiation + UC, and Radiation + CGM groups and irradiated with γ-radiation of 6, 8, 10 and 12 Gy. Survival rate, hematological and biochemical parameters, bone marrow cellularity, chromosomal aberrations and histopathology of intestine were followed as a measure of the relative efficacy. Results and Discussion: Oral administration with both UC and CGM at 100 mg/kg. b.wt. produced significant radioprotective effect over the untreated control group of animals. However, CGM treatment was found to provide better clastogenic and genotoxic potential as compared to UC. Further, the histopathology analysis of intestine confirmed the better protective effect of CGM over UC-treated animals. The present study demonstrated the positive role of the bioavailability of curcuminoids in the amelioration of radiation-induced damages in mice since CGM treatment exerted better survival rate and radioprotective effect as compared with UC, despite the relatively low concentrations of curcuminoids in CGM (39% w/w). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 6-week, randomized, open-label, active-controlled clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the influence of a low-dose curcumagalactomannosides (CGM) (400 mg once daily) in OA subjects. The treatment was compared with a standard combination of 500 mg glucosamine hydrochloride (GLN) and 415 mg chondroitin sulphate (CHN), supplied as a single oral dose twice a day. Out of 84 subjects randomized, 72 subjects who have completed the study were evaluated for the safety and efficacy of the treatments at baseline and subsequent visits (day 28 and 42), by measuring walking performance, VAS, KPS, and WOMAC scores. CGM exhibited 47.02, 21.43, and 206% improvement in VAS, KPS, and walking performance, respectively, compared to the baseline. Similarly, there was 31.17, 32.93, 36.44, and 35% improvement in the pain, stiffness, physical function, and total WOMAC scores. CGM also caused a substantial reduction in the serum inflammatory marker levels. The results indicate that a short-term supplementation of a low dosage CGM exerted superior beneficial effects than a high-dosage CHN-GLN combination in alleviating the pain and symptoms of OA subjects. Further clinical trials of extended duration in a larger population is required to substantiate the efficacy of CGM in the long-term management of OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxicity of the pesticide carbofuran (CF) can be alleviated by curcumin, if not for its poor bioavailability. Hence, we investigated the effect of a bioavailable curcumin-galactomannan complex (CGM) on CF-induced neurotoxicity in rats in comparison to that of unformulated standard curcumin (CS). The CF (5 mg/kg b.wt/day) treatment for 90 days produced chronicity model which were treated with either CS or CGM (100 mg/kg b.wt and 250 mg/kg b.wt/day) for another 30 days. Improvement in CF-induced behaviour was evident in endurance, motor co-ordination and pain response on both CS (p < 0.01) and CGM (p < 0.001) supplementation. Amelioration of CF-induced toxicity parameters, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction on CS (p < 0.01) and CGM (p < 0.001) supplementation was further confirmed by histopathology of brain and liver tissues. But, CGM was more effective in mitigating CF toxicity, with results comparable to that of normal. Hence, CGM might be superior in toxicity management against CF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthy neurons and neurotransmitter levels are necessary for the survival of an organism. Considering the fact that the global incidence of neurological disorders are increasing at an alarming rate; there is a global move toward the development of cost-effective natural neuroprotective agents. Objective: In the present contribution, we hypothesized that the formulations of curcumin capable of delivering curcuminoids in the brain would provide enhanced cognitive effects. In this regard, we investigated the relative efficacy of unformulated curcumin (UC) in comparison with "curcumin-galactomannan complex (CGM), an enhanced bioavailable formulation of curcumin that has been reported to possess improved blood-brain-barrier permeability and tissue distribution (Trademarked as "CurQfen®"). Materials and Methods: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuro-inflammatory animal model was employed for the study. Wistar rats of 180–200 g body weight (aged 3–4 weeks) were grouped as Group I: Vehicle control, Group II: LPS treated (250 μg/kg b.wt.), Group III: CGM (200 mg/kg b.wt.) + LPS (i.p.250 μg/kg b.wt.), and Group IV: UC (200 mg/kg b.wt.) + LPS (i.p.250 μg/kg b.wt.) and treated for 28 days. Results: Behavioral studies (elevated plus maze, radial arm maze, and Y-maze), neurotransmitter levels, and histopathology revealed a statistically significant (P ≤ 0.001) cognitive improvement and reduced inflammation among CGM treated rats as compared to UC treated groups. Conclusion: CGM possesses significant enhanced cognitive effects than UC (IEAC No: DPS/12/2015). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the insulin potentiating activity of Cinnamomum cassia extracts has been studied in detail, no systematic investigations have so far been reported to standardize those extracts with respect to their bioactive polyphenol and toxic coumarin contents. Moreover, no process has been reported for the preparation of de-coumarinated water-soluble polyphenol-rich extracts of cinnamomum species. In the present contribution, we describe the preparation of de-coumarinated polyphenol-rich extracts of Cinnamomum cassia containing 45 and 70% gallic acid equivalents of polyphenol content and their characterization by tandem mass spectrometry. These extracts were investigated for their relative anti-hyperglycaemic effects in comparison with a standard aqueous extract containing 18% polyphenol content and 0.8% coumarin. De-coumarinated extracts were found to be safe and showed 3.4 fold enhancements in relative lowering of blood sugar levels as compared to the standard cinnamon extract, when administered to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats at 200 mg/kg body weight for 30 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]