Enhanced absorption and pharmacokinetics of fresh turmeric (Curcuma Longa L) derived curcuminoids in comparison with the standard curcumin from dried rhizomes

Abstract

Despite the various attempts to overcome the poor oral bioavailability of curcuminoids isolated from dried turmeric, no attempt has so far been reported on fresh turmeric derived curcuminoids. Herein, we report a novel preparation of curcuminoids from fresh turmeric rhizomes (FTC) as amorphous water soluble stable powder and its enhanced absorption and pharmacokinetics in comparison with 95% pure curcuminoids isolated from dried turmeric (DTC). While the oral administration of FTC at 250 mg/kg body weight was found to offer significant levels of plasma curcumin in Wistar rats for longer duration, an equivalent dose of curcuminoids as DTC failed to produce detectable plasma levels. Dose dependent human studies (100, 250 and 1000 mg doses of FTC) also showed significant (p < 0.001) absorption of total curcuminoids (46-fold) and free unconjugated curcuminoids from FTC with improved pharmacokinetics as compared to equivalent doses of curcuminoids as DTC.