Autoimmune Disorders

Liuting Zeng et al. (2022) · Frontiers in immunology

This systematic review and meta-analysis pooled 31 randomized controlled trials (34 study records, roughly 1,583 participants) exploring curcumin and Curcuma longa (turmeric) extract across 10 autoimmune diseases — conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissue. Autoimmune disease covers more than 120 named conditions; this review focused on ankylosing spondylitis, Behçet's disease, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, oral lichen planus, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Takayasu arteritis, and ulcerative colitis. Curcumin is the main active compound in turmeric, long used in Chinese medicine, and is studied here for its ability to regulate immune cells and reduce inflammation. Researchers searched English and Chinese databases plus the Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov through February 2022, screening 2,991 records down to 31 RCTs that tested curcumin or Curcuma longa extract against placebo or usual care. Trial count per disease varied widely: 9 RCTs for ulcerative colitis and 6 for oral lichen planus, but only 1 each for ankylosing spondylitis, Behçet's disease, and Takayasu arteritis. Doses ranged from 60 mg to 6,000 mg daily, taken orally, or in some trials applied as a gel, mouthwash, or enema, for 2 to 96 weeks. Disease activity was tracked with condition-specific scales (PASI for psoriasis, DAS28 for rheumatoid arthritis, EDSS for multiple sclerosis, and others) alongside blood markers like ESR and CRP. Where enough trials existed to combine statistically, curcumin performed well. In psoriasis, it roughly tripled the rate of major skin-clearance (PASI75: RR=3.01, p=0.008—meaning patients getting curcumin were about three times as likely to see substantial improvement). In ulcerative colitis, it raised clinical remission more than twofold (RR=2.28, p=0.0005) and lowered inflammatory markers ESR and CRP. In rheumatoid arthritis, it reduced the DAS28 disease-activity score (WMD=-1.10, p=0.0002—a clinically noticeable drop in joint disease activity), though results varied considerably between the five trials. Oral lichen planus, despite being studied in six trials, did not show a significant benefit on its pooled lesion-severity score (p=0.17). None of the pooled analyses found more side effects with curcumin than with placebo. The other six diseases each had just one or two small trials reporting improvement, too few to combine or confirm. These findings support curcumin as a reasonably safe adjunct for psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, and rheumatoid arthritis specifically, where the evidence is strongest and most consistent; for the seven other diseases, results are preliminary and should not yet guide treatment decisions. Curcumin's poor absorption from the gut remains a practical obstacle to reliable dosing. The authors call for larger, multi-center trials, especially for the thinly studied conditions, before broader clinical recommendations can be made.

Shamini Jain et al. (2015) · Global advances in health and medicine

This study explores the concepts of consciousness and subtle energy within Indo-Tibetan philosophical and medical systems, aiming to enhance cross-cultural dialogue on the biofield. By examining the similarities and differences among Vedic, Jain, and Tibetan traditions, the research seeks to inform contemporary biofield science and improve understanding of health and healing practices. The integration of traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods is emphasized as a means to bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and contemporary health sciences. The study employs a descriptive analysis to investigate the relationship between ancient Indo-Tibetan systems and modern biofield science. It does not involve a specific intervention or treatment but rather focuses on the philosophical concepts related to consciousness and subtle energy. The research highlights the importance of introspective inquiry in these ancient systems, paralleling modern scientific findings in health and wellness. The objective is to foster deeper cross-cultural dialogue and enhance understanding of biofields through the exploration of these traditional concepts. The findings indicate that there are significant similarities and differences in the understanding of biofields across the three traditions studied. The authors suggest that integrating traditional diagnostic methods with contemporary biomarkers could inform treatment options and improve health outcomes. However, limitations include the need for more empirical studies to validate the proposed connections and the challenges of integrating diverse methodologies. The study aligns with previous research that has explored genetic and metabolic differences associated with traditional medicine systems, suggesting a valuable intersection between traditional and modern approaches. The implications of this research are significant for practitioners and researchers in health and healing. By incorporating holistic approaches and traditional diagnostic methods alongside modern biomarkers, practitioners may enhance health assessments and treatment options. Key limitations include the necessity for empirical validation of the proposed links and the challenges in integrating methodologies from Eastern and Western perspectives. Future research should focus on empirical investigations of biofield practices and their effects on health outcomes, particularly regarding the mechanisms of subtle energy interactions.