Faculty Sponsor

Jana Stedman

College

College of Nursing & Health Professions (CONHP)

Department/Program

MSPA

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

Summer 7-22-2026

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the current evidence regarding curcumin as an adjunctive therapy for adults with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis(UC) and determine whether using it with standard medical therapy improves clinical remission, clinical response/symptom control, and endoscopic remission compared  with standard therapy alone

Methods:

A narrative literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta analyses published between 2014 and 2026 evaluating adjunctive curcumin for UC. Studies of adults with mild-moderate UC receiving adjunctive curcumin were included. Pediatric populations, severe UC, and studies lacking clinical or endoscopic outcomes were excluded.. Five studies met the inclusion criteria, consisting of three systematic reviews, one meta-analysis, and one randomized controlled trial.

Results:

Adjunctive curcumin consistently improved clinical remission with patients generally two to three times more likely to achieve remission than those receiving standard therapy alone.  Symptom control also improved with a favorable safety profile with few adverse effects.  Evidence supporting endoscopic remission and mucosal healing was favorable but remained less consistent because of variable outcome definitions, heterogeneous study designs, and sample size.

Conclusion:

Current evidence supports curcumin as a promising adjunctive therapy for adults with mild to moderate UC receiving standard therapy. Although evidence for endoscopic remission remains less consistent, curcumin improved clinical outcomes while maintaining a favorable safety profile. Larger RCT with standardized dosing and longer followup are needed to better define its long term role

Keywords: ulcerative colitis; curcumin; inflammatory bowel disease; adjunctive therapy; clinical remission; endoscopic remission; mucosal healing

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Varsha George is an anticipated July 2026 graduate of the Valparaiso University Physician Assistant Program. Throughout her clinical rotations, she developed a strong interest in gastroenterology and family medicine, particularly in caring for patients with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. Having a personal history of ulcerative colitis, she was inspired to research complementary treatment options that could improve quality of life for patients facing similar challenges. Her graduate project, "Curcumin as an Adjunctive Ayurvedic Therapy for Mild to Moderate Ulcerative Colitis," evaluates the current clinical evidence supporting curcumin as a complementary to standard therapy. I would like to thank my family and friends for supporting throughout my PA school journey! 

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