Evaluation of the Impact of Different Doses of Curcuma longa L. on Antioxidant Capacity: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Pilot Trial

Abstract

Curcumin is a bioactive compound derived from Curcuma longa L. root, extensively studied due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study evaluates the effects of different doses of powdered C. longa root on antioxidant capacity in healthy men. In a pilot randomized, double-blinded, crossover experiment, we acutely administered a low dose (1.5 g, LCG), moderate dose (3.0 g, MCG), and high dose (6.0 g, HCG) of C. longa to nine healthy men. There were no differences in plasma curcumin levels ( $p=0.593$ ) and antioxidant capacity ( $p=0.473$ ) for $\text{time}\times \text{group}$ interactions. Plasma curcumin levels increased in all groups after 20 and 90 min of C. longa intake ( $p<0.05$ ). HCG had a lower postprandial incremental area under the antioxidant capacity curve than LCG or MCG ( $p<0.01$ ). A low dose of C. longa increased the antioxidant capacity in healthy men. However, plasma curcumin levels were not dose dependently affected.