The effects of nano-curcumin supplementation on Th2/tregulatory axis in migraine patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

AIM: In the present study we aimed to investigate the effects of nano-curcumin supplementation on gene expression and serum levels of IL-4 and TGF-ß in migraine patients. METHODS: Forty participants with episodic migraine were randomly allocated to receive 80 mg nano-curcumin (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) in a randomized double-blind clinical trial for two months. At the beginning and the end of the study, the interictal serum levels and gene expression of IL-4 and TGF-ß in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from migraine patients were measured, using ELISA and real-time PCR methods, respectively. RESULTS: Intra-group assays showed a significant rise in the gene expression of both IL-4 and TGF-ß (p < 0.05) in nano-curcumin group after two months of treatment, however the serum levels were only significantly changed for IL-4 (p < 0.05). On the contrast, inter-group assays revealed no statistical differences between nano-curcumin and placebo group in terms of IL-4 and TGF-ß gene expression, while the serum levels of IL-4 was observed to be increased significantly (p = 0.03) following two month nano-curcumin supplementation. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present trial suggest that the treatment with nano-curcumin could induce significant levels of IL-4, in favour of anti-inflammatory effects, while has a minimal effects on the both gene expression and serum levels of TGF-ß. Further studies are required to determine the exact mechanism of action of curcumin in patients with migraine.

The effects of nano-curcumin supplementation on Th1/Th17 balance in migraine patients: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The present study was aimed to evaluate the nano-curcumin supplementation on Th1/Th17 balance by assessment of gene expression and serum level of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) in migraine patients. METHODS: Forty participants with episodic migraine were randomly allocated to receive 80 mg nano-curcumin (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) in a randomized double-blind clinical trial for two months. The expression of IFN-γ and IL-17 from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and IFN-γ and IL-17 serum levels were measured, using a real-time PCR and ELISA methods, respectively. RESULTS: Compared to placebo group, two month nano-curcumin supplementation led to a significant reduction in serum levels and expression of IL-17 mRNA (P = 0.006 & 0.04, respectively), while there was no statistical difference regarding serum levels and expression of IFN-γ mRNA. CONCLUSION: Nano-curcumin supplementation in migraine patients led to a significant reduction in gene expression and plasma levels of IL-17 compared to control group.

The Effect of Nano-Curcumin Supplementation on Pentraxin 3 Gene Expression and Serum Level in Migraine Patients.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate the effect of nano-curcumin supplementation on pentraxin 3 (PTX3) gene exp ression and serum level in migraine patients. METHODS: The present study, performed as a clinical trial, included 38 episodic migraine patients in two groups that received either nano-curcumin or placebo over a two-month period. At the start and the end of the study, PTX3 gene expression and serum levels were measured. RESULTS: After two months of treatment, PTX3 gene expression and serum levels were both significantly less in the nano-curcumin than in the placebo group (P= 0.01 and P< 0.001, respectively). No significant gene expression differences were found between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Curcumin may have a potential inhibitory effect on PTX3 gene expression and serum levels in migraine disease and can be considered as an efficient therapy in migraine management.

A Novel Combination of ω-3 Fatty Acids and Nano-Curcumin Modulates Interleukin-6 Gene Expression and High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein Serum Levels in Patients with Migraine: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study.

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a disabling neuroinflammatory condition characterized by increasing the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, a proinflammatory cytokine and C-reactive protein (CRP) which considered as a vascular inflammatory mediator, disrupting the integrity of blood-brain barrier and contributing to neurogenic inflammation, and disease progression. Curcumin and ω-3 fatty acids can exert neuroprotective effects through modulation of IL-6 gene expression and CRP levels. The aim of present study is the evaluation of combined effects of ω-3 fatty acids and nano-curcumin supplementation on IL-6 gene expression and serum level and hs-CRP levels in migraine patients. METHODS: Eighty episodic migraine patients enrolled in the trial and were divided into four groups as 1) combination of ω-3 fatty acids (2500 mg) plus nano-curcumin (80 mg), 2) ω-3 (2500 mg), 3) nanocurcumin (80 mg), and 4) the control (ω-3 and nano-curcumin placebo included oral paraffin oil) over a two-month period. At the beginning and the end of the study, the expression of IL-6 from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and IL-6 and hs-CRP serum levels were measured, using a real-time PCR and ELISA methods, respectively. RESULTS: The results showed that both of ω-3 and nano-curcumin down-regulated IL-6 mRAN and significantly decreased the serum concentration. hs-CRP serum levels significantly decrease in combination and nano-curcumin within groups (P<0.05). An additive greater reduction of IL-6 and hs-CRP was observed in the combination group suggested a possible synergetic relation. CONCLUSION: It seems that ω-3 fatty acids and curcumin supplementation can be considered a new promising target in migraine prevention.

The synergistic effects of ω-3 fatty acids and nano-curcumin supplementation on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α gene expression and serum level in migraine patients.

Migraine is a destabilizing neuroinflammatory disorder characterized by recurrent headache attacks. Evidences show tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α play a role in neuroimmunity pathogenesis of migraine. TNF-α increase prostanoid production, hyperexcitability of neurons, and nociceptor activation resulted in neuroinflammation and neurogenic pain. ω-3 fatty acids and curcumin exert neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects via several mechanisms including suppression of TNF-α gene expression and its serum levels. The aim of this study is an evaluation of synergistic effects of ω-3 fatty acids and nano-curcumin on TNF-α gene expression and serum levels in migraine patients. The present study performed as a clinical trial over a 2 month period included 74 episodic migraine patients in 4 groups and received ω-3 fatty acids, nano-curcumin, and combination of them or placebo. At the start and the end of the study, the gene expression of TNF-α and TNF-α serum levels was measured by real-time PCR and ELISA method, respectively. Our results showed that the combination of ω-3 fatty acids and nano-curcumin downregulated TNF-α messenger RNA (mRNA) significantly in a synergistic manner (P < 0.05). As relative to gene expression, a significant greater reduction in serum levels of TNF-α were observed in the combination group, but no significant differences in other groups. Supplementation with ω-3 fatty acids or nano-curcumin alone did not show significant reduction either in mRNA or serum levels of TNF-α. In addition, a much greater reduction in attack frequency was found in the combination group (P < 0.001). These findings indicated that ω-3 fatty acids and curcumin supplementation can be considered as a new promising approach in migraine management.