Open-label Study of Curcumin C-3 Complex in Schizophrenia

Detailed Description: The overall objective of the study was to evaluate whether the standardized proprietary formulation of curcumin [Super Curcumin@ :C-3 Complex@ with Bioperine@) manufactured by American Finest Inc. NJ USA ] extracted from the curry plant (Curcuma Longata) , can improve the negative symptoms and cognitive impairments in patients diagnosed as schizophrenia and to determine the response rate in negative symptoms at 16 weeks. Response rate was defined as the positive change of minimum 30% or higher from baseline to the score measured at 16 weeks. Negative symptoms refer to the cluster of symptoms of apathy, alogia, blunted affect and lack of motivation affecting severely the ways the individual functions in the community at large. In the study, the investigators proposed to test the hypothesize that Super curcumin@ is efficacious and safe when combined with standard antipsychotic drugs in the cohort of patients diagnosed as schizophrenia. Throughout the study, the proprietary product(Super curcumin@) was used. Supercurcumin@ consisted of the primary medicinally active ingredient, Curcumin C-3 Complex, in combination with Bioperine@, the metabolic enhancer extracted from black pepper, in order to increase the systemic bioavailability of curcumin C-3 complex. For the oral formulation of Super- curcumin@: 1 gm-capsule has 1 gm of curcumin C-3 complex and 5 mg of Bioperine@ . The study protocol consisted of recruiting subjects with diagnosed as schizophrenia who would be receiving either 1 gm or 4 gm of Super-Curcumin@ given orally once daily for 16 weeks, on negative symptoms and cognition. For assessing the safety and tolerability of Supercurcumin@ , the study protocol required that the patients would be monitored regularly for vital signs:blood pressure, pulse,body weight, routine blood chemistry and comprehensive adverse events profile (Treatment Emergent Adverse Events checklist) including the AIMS (Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale). At baseline and at regular intervals throughout the 16-week treatment period, standardized measures of negative and positive symptoms and neurocognition would be administered to examine the efficacy of Curcumin C-3 complex in schizophrenia. For analysing the results, within-subject pre- and post-treatment responses would be subject to statistical procedures to evaluate whether Super-Curcumin@ can ameliorate the persistent negative symptoms and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.