Today’s post is the 4th in a series covering topics in mental health, in recognition of National Mental Health Month.

A group of researchers from Murdoch University in Western Australia examined the use of curcumin, as well as a curcumin/saffron combination, in treating major depression. Curcumin is an active ingredient of the Asian spice turmeric, which is a member of the ginger family. Turmeric is a widely used spice in South Asian and Middle Eastern cooking and is grown in India, Nepal, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and elsewhere. Turmeric is also used in Ayurvedic Medicine, and is currently being studied in Western Medicine for possible uses. Curcumin has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The study was a randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial, which ran for 12 weeks. There were 123 participants in the trial, all of which were diagnosed with major depression. There were four different groups- a placebo group, a low-dose curcumin group, a high-dose curcumin group, and a low-dose curcumin/saffron combination group. The score on the Inventory of Depressive Symtomatology was the primary outcome measure.

After 12 weeks researchers found that the 3 groups treated with curcumin all had significantly greater improvements in depressive symptoms compared to the placebo group. The response rate in the groups treated with curcumin was 28% versus only 13% in the placebo group. 

Interestingly, the addition of saffron to the curcumin did not seem to improve the efficacy of the curcumin. Also, a comparison of the high and low doses of curcumin did not appear to show any major differences in efficaciousness.

This study adds to the growing body of evidence indicating potential benefits of curcumin for depression.

(Source- Journal of Affective Disorders 207 (2017))

This blog is a review of medical and scientific literature, and should only be used for informational purposes. It does not constitute medical or health advice, nor does it create a  physician-patient relationship with anyone. Discuss any health concerns with your personal physician.