Comparative Bioavailability of Curcuminoids From Curcuminqa™ a Novel Energized Formulation Versus Standard Curcuma Extract in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized, Open-Label, Two-Way Crossover Study

Objective: Curcumin, the active polyphenolic compound from Curcuma longa, exhibits promising anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and therapeutic properties but suffers from poor oral bioavailability due to low solubility and rapid metabolism. Novel formulations aim to enhance their absorption. This present study compared the bioavailability of CurcuminQA™ from Greenspace Herbs versus a standard curcuma extract (standardized to 95% curcuminoids) in healthy volunteers. Methods: This randomized, open-label, two-way crossover study enrolled 65 healthy adults (aged 18-45 years). The participants were given a single oral dose of 500 mg CurcuminQATM and or curcuma extract (standardized to 95% curcuminoids). The study is 1:1 crossover design with a 14-day washout period. In order to mimic real-life scenario, dosing was scheduled without fasting. Collection of plasma samples was done over a period of 24 hours for pharmacokinetic analysis of total curcuminoids with LC-MS. Results: Sixty participants completed the study (5 dropouts due to withdrawal). CurcuminQA™ showed significantly higher bioavailability Cmax ~454 ng/ml, AUC0-∞ ~1233 ng·h/ml and Tmax was reduced for CurcuminQA™ (~1 hour vs. ~2 hours); t1/2 was similar (~4 hours). There were no reports of adverse events apart from mild gastrointestinal discomfort which was comparable between the treatment groups. Conclusion: CurcuminQATM showed more than 20-fold increased bioavailability in comparison to standard curcuma extract, proving its potential for clinical use in conditions requiring increased curcumin dose. By assessing absorption in non-fasting conditions, our study mimics real-life scenario ensuring relevant and practical results.