In March 2020 researchers from Greece published the results of their study to assess the mode of action of curcumin in psoriatic disease. The researchers stated that studies have shown curcumin may play an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive role in patients with psoriatic disease, although its mode of action is not currently known. The researchers therefore assessed the in vitro effect of curcumin on interferon-γ and on interleukin-17, both pro-inflammatory cytokines, using CD4(+) T cells from 22 individuals with psoriasis, 12 with psoriatic arthritis and 15 healthy individuals who acted as a control group. Results showed that curcumin significantly decreased, in a dose dependent manner, both interferon-γ and interleukin-17 production in those with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis as well as in the healthy controls. The researchers therefore concluded that by decreasing interferon-γ and interleukin-17 production, this may strengthen the role of curcumin as a dietary immunosuppressant in individuals with psoriatic disease.
Skyvalidas DΝ et al. Curcumin mediates attenuation of pro-inflammatory interferon γ and interleukin 17 cytokine responses in psoriatic disease, strengthening its role as a dietary immunosuppressant. Nutr Res. 2020 Mar;75:95-108.