INTRDUCTION:
UCLA scientists from the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, in collaboration with colleagues from California State University, Channel Islands and Shenzhen University, have developed a sensitive analytical method for measuring curcumin and related compounds in complex biological samples.
BACKGROUND:
Curcumin is a compound found in the turmeric root, and it is believed to possess various health-promoting properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. However, more studies are needed to validate and better understand the effects of curcumin and related compounds in the body, as well as their bioavailability.
INNOVATION:
The UCLA scientists were part of a multi-institutional collaborative effort to develop sensitive and specific methods to measure curcumin and related compounds in plasma, tissue, red blood cells and other body fluids by LC/MS/MS, which could facilitate clinical research on the properties of these compounds.
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:
• Clinical research on curcumin and related compounds
ADVANTAGES:
• Quantitative analysis of curcumin and related compounds in complex biological samples
RELATED PAPERS:
Alexander J. Yoon, Haiqiang Wu, Roy D. Pan, Bruce Teter, Jack Cipolla, Edwin Chang, Luis Z. Avila, Saroj K. Basak, Eri Srivatsan, Marilene B. Wang, Greg M. Cole, Sally A. Frautschy, Phillip D. Hampton and Kym F. Faull. A Sensitive LC-MS Assay Using Derivatization with Boron Trifluoride to Quantify Curcuminoids in Biological Samples. Analytical Biochemistry. 2020 May 1;596:113636. doi: 10.1016/j.ab.2020.113636. Epub 2020 Feb 17. PMID: 320816.