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in an uncontrolled trial of 16 chronic smokers. In six nonsmoking controls there was no change in
urinary secretion. Turmeric had no effect on serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate amino
transferase, blood glucose, creatinine, and lipid profile (MAB). Turmeric extract (~20 mg cur-
cumin/day) for 45 days dramatically decreased blood lipid peroxide levels in 18 male subjects
(MAB). Curcumin is poorly absorbed (some 15–35% max in rats) orally but if administered with
piperine (from black and long pepper), absorption is improved more than 150% in rats. But in
human volunteers, 20 mg piperine increases bioavailability of curcumin 20-fold (MAB). One study
indicated curcumin and sodium curcuminate were more potent than phenylbutazone in acute and
chronic arthritic models, while another found it only^1 / 10 th as effective as ibuprofen. While ulcero-
genic in large doses, curcumin is only about one-third as ulcerogenic as the phenylbutazone. In
low doses, curcumin had antiulcer activity, protecting against the ulcerogenic activity of phenylb-
utazone (MAB). 1-Phenylhydroxy-N-pentane stimulates the secretion of secretin, gastrin and bicar-
bonate, helping maintain the gastric pH in dogs and humans (TRA). LD50 ether extracts 12,200
mg/kg orl rat (MAB), LDlo curcumin >2000 mg/kg orl mus (MAB), LDlo curcumin >5000 mg/kg
orl rat (MAB).