THE EFFECTS OF A TRADITIONAL DRUG, TURMERIC (CURCUMA-LONGA) AND PLACEBO ON THE HEALING OF DUODENAL-ULCER

In a joint Vietnam-Sweden prospective double-blind two-center study, t he herbal remedy of Curcuma longa (turmeric) - in a dosage of 6 g dail y as suggested in the Vietnamese pharmacopoeia - was compared with an equal amount of placebo in 118 patients, suffering from duodenal ulcer . The patients in the two groups were well matched prior to treatment. Clinical assessments were carried out weekly, while laboratory invest igations were carried out before beginning of the treatment and after four and eight weeks: Only patients, having one duodenal ulcer with a minimum diameter of 5 mm verified by endoscopy (Uong Bi General Hospit al, UBGH) and/or radiography (UBGH and Viet Duc University Hospital, V DUH) not more than 4 days prior the study were included in the study. No treatment with H-2-receptor antagonists, anticholinergics or other drugs used in the treatment of ulcer disease during the preceding week were allowed. Follow-up endoscopy and/or radiography were performed a fter 28 +/- 4 days and 56 +/- 4 days. Turmeric was not superior to pla cebo in healing duodenal ulcer either after four or eight weeks of tre atment. After eight weeks the ulcer-healing rate of turmeric was 27% w hile placebo had healed 29%. Both drugs were well tolerated.