Home Ingredients curcuRouge® (Amorphous Curcumin Formulation)

curcuRouge® (Amorphous Curcumin Formulation)

Curcuma longa
Evidence Level
Preliminary
4 Clinical Trials
5 Documented Benefits
1/5 Evidence Score

curcuRouge® is a curcumin powder from Therabiopharma Inc. in Japan in which curcumin is held in an amorphous (non-crystalline) form: crystalline curcumin is melted, cooled, ground and blended with corn starch and modified starch, giving a powder that is 37 to 40 percent curcumin by weight. The maker reports blood curcumin levels about 100 to 150 times higher than ordinary curcumin, figures that come from its own studies. In a 4 week trial in 39 adults over 60, 180 mg of curcumin a day lowered the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes in white blood cells within the curcumin group but not on placebo; the two groups were not compared directly. In a 7 day trial in people with mild COVID-19, the main outcome did not differ from placebo. Both trials were run with the maker. Curcumin products made for higher absorption have been linked to liver injury, so read the safety section first.

Studied Dose 180 mg of curcumin a day (one 90 mg curcumin capsule twice daily) for 4 weeks in adults over 60, and 720 mg a day (four capsules twice daily) for 7 days in adults with mild COVID-19. The formulation is 37 to 40 percent curcumin by weight.
Active Compound Curcumin (CAS 458-37-7) in an amorphous, non-crystalline phase, made by Therabiopharma Inc. by melting crystalline curcumin, cooling it to break up the crystal structure, grinding it and blending it with food-grade starches. The formulation tested in rats contained 37 to 40 percent curcumin by weight with corn starch and modified starch; the modified starch is described as keeping the curcumin from recrystallizing. Capsules used in the human trials supplied 90 mg of curcumin each.

Benefits

White blood cell balance in adults over 60

In 39 adults aged 65 to 75, 90 mg of curcumin twice daily for 4 weeks lowered the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio within the curcuRouge group (median 1.70 to 1.36) while placebo did not change. The groups were not compared directly, and this blood ratio is a marker, not a health outcome. The small trial was run with the maker, supported by the Robertet Group.

Supported by Trial 1

Body temperature and symptom events over 7 days

In 138 adults with asymptomatic or mild COVID-19, 720 mg of curcumin a day for 7 days did not change the main outcome, fever or low blood oxygen events (2 of 71 versus 4 of 67 on placebo, not significant). In an additional analysis of those with normal temperature at the start, temperature fell slightly more than on placebo, but the curcuRouge group started slightly warmer. The trial was co-funded by the maker.

Supported by Trial 2

Blood curcumin levels compared with another enhanced curcumin

In a maker-linked crossover study in 12 healthy volunteers, the authors reported that a single dose of curcuRouge gave 3.4 times the curcumin exposure over 8 hours and 5.4 times the peak level of Theracurmin. These are the authors' figures from a preprint, and blood levels are markers, not health outcomes.

Supported by Trial 3

Knee comfort: registry results only

A 3 month trial of a highly absorptive curcumin from the same maker in 90 adults with knee joint wear posted results to a Japanese trial registry: at the higher dose, need for pain relievers and high-sensitivity CRP fell more than on placebo, while pain and knee scores improved more only in milder cases. No p values were posted and the full paper could not be read.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Memory and thinking: results not yet published

A 24 week placebo-controlled trial of curcuRouge in 60 adults with possible mild memory decline was registered, with a cognitive screening score as the main outcome. Only the protocol has been published, so there are no results to report for memory or thinking.

Supported by Trial 2, Trial 3

Mechanism of action

1

Amorphous curcumin and dissolution

Plain curcumin forms crystals that barely dissolve in water, which is one reason it is poorly absorbed. In curcuRouge the crystals are broken up by melting and cooling, and starches are added to keep the curcumin from recrystallizing, which the maker says improves dispersion and absorption. The absorption figures come from studies run or funded by the maker.

2

Curcumin and inflammatory signaling

In laboratory and animal studies cited by the trial authors, curcumin inhibits pro-inflammatory pathways such as NF-kB and reduces cytokines like TNF-alpha and IL-6. The trial authors propose this as the reason the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio fell, but no cytokine was measured in the curcuRouge trials, so the pathway is proposed rather than shown for this product.

Clinical trials

1
curcuRouge 180 mg Curcumin a Day in Adults Over 60: Small 4 Week RCT
PubMed

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel trial at the National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, June to August 2020; one capsule with 90 mg of curcumin twice daily for 4 weeks versus a cornflour placebo; registered UMIN000041042; capsules made and supplied by Therabiopharma, which develops and markets curcuRouge, under a joint research agreement with the hospital, and the Robertet Group (France) supported Therabiopharma for the work; Atsuhiro Kishimoto, Atsushi Imaizumi and Tadashi Hashimoto list Therabiopharma affiliations (Kishimoto et al. 2021, J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo))

40 adults aged 65 to 75 (39 analyzed: 19 on curcuRouge, 20 on placebo); people with stable lifestyle-related conditions under treatment could take part.

Within the curcuRouge group the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio fell from a median of 1.70 to 1.36 (p = 0.020), with lower white cell and neutrophil counts and a higher lymphocyte percentage; lymphocyte count did not change (p = 0.809). On placebo nothing changed (ratio 1.53 to 1.41, p = 0.881). The paper reports only within-group tests, not a direct comparison between groups, and the groups were unbalanced for sex (11 of 19 men on curcuRouge versus 17 of 20 on placebo, p = 0.082). No adverse events were observed in either group.

2
curcuRouge 720 mg Curcumin a Day for 7 Days in Mild COVID-19: Primary Outcome Not Significant
PubMed

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel trial at the NHO Kyoto Medical Center, February 2022 to January 2023; four 90 mg curcumin capsules twice daily for 7 days versus a cornstarch placebo; Japan Registry of Clinical Trials registration listed as CRB5200002; funded by a joint research agreement between the hospital and Therabiopharma; Atsuhiro Kishimoto, Hiroki Aoyama, Yasuhiro Katsuura, Atsushi Imaizumi and Tadashi Hashimoto are listed at Therabiopharma, and two authors own equity in and consult for the company (Kishimoto et al. 2024, J Health Popul Nutr)

145 adults within 5 days of a COVID-19 diagnosis with normal temperature and blood oxygen at the start were randomized; 138 analyzed (71 curcuRouge, 67 placebo), mean age about 47. Most were thought to have omicron infections.

The primary outcome, fever of 37.5 C or more, blood oxygen below 96 percent, hospitalization or death within 7 days, occurred in 2 of 71 on curcuRouge and 4 of 67 on placebo (hazard ratio 0.532, 95 percent CI 0.097 to 2.902), not a significant difference; only events from day 3 onward were counted, all six were low blood oxygen readings with no hospitalization or death, and the trial was planned for 160 people and far fewer events occurred than expected. Use of fever-reducing painkillers did not differ (hazard ratio 0.716, 95 percent CI 0.374 to 1.372). In an additional analysis of 130 people with normal temperature at baseline, temperature fell slightly more on curcuRouge (minus 0.34 versus minus 0.01 percent, p for interaction 0.014); baseline temperature was higher in the curcuRouge group. No adverse event data are reported.

3
curcuRouge vs Theracurmin Single Dose Absorption (Blood Levels Only, Preprint)
PubMed

Single-dose, double-blind, randomized two-way crossover pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers, with a parallel rat study; curcuRouge versus Theracurmin; registered UMIN000039083; posted as a preprint on Research Square in November 2020 and later published in the Journal of Functional Foods, which was not read; a trade report states that the published study was funded by the Japan Science and Technology Agency and Therabiopharma (Sunagawa et al. 2020, Research Square preprint)

12 healthy volunteers; male Sprague-Dawley rats in the animal arm.

The authors report that curcumin exposure over 8 hours (AUC) was 3.4 times and the peak level 5.4 times that of Theracurmin in the volunteers, and 3.7 and 9.6 times in rats. The preprint abstract gives the human dose as 30 mg of curcumin in its methods and 90 mg in its results. These are blood level markers, not health outcomes, and no p values appear in the abstract.

4
curcuRouge 28 Day Toxicology Study in Rats (Animal Study, Not a Human Trial)
PubMed

Repeated-dose 28 day oral toxicology study in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats at one dose, 750 mg/kg a day of the formulation (300 mg/kg of curcumin), versus water; fully funded by Therabiopharma and run under contract by Nissei Bilis; six of eight authors, including Mahendra P. Kapoor, list Therabiopharma affiliations, and the authors declare no conflicts of interest (Kapoor et al. 2026, Toxicol Rep)

Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats, 5 per sex per group (20 in total).

No deaths, illness, treatment-related clinical signs or organ abnormalities were seen, so 750 mg/kg a day, the only dose tested, was set as the no-observed-adverse-effect level. Serum albumin and the albumin to globulin ratio rose in both sexes, the cecum was enlarged in treated rats, and blood clotting time (APTT) was moderately longer in males and platelets higher in females, changes the authors judged non-adverse. The authors estimate a human equivalent of about 2.9 g of curcumin a day for a 60 kg adult. Rat findings do not establish safety in people.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

In the 4 week trial of 180 mg of curcumin a day in 40 adults aged 65 to 75, no adverse events were observed in either group. The 7 day trial at 720 mg a day did not report adverse event data, A 3 month knee trial that the maker cites as a curcuRouge study posted to a Japanese trial registry a few cases of stomach upset, dizziness, diarrhea, leg swelling and itching spread across both curcumin doses and placebo, and the investigators reported no product-related adverse event; its full paper could not be read.
Oral turmeric can cause nausea and vomiting, acid reflux, stomach upset, diarrhea or constipation, according to the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
Liver: the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states that liver damage has been reported in some people taking curcumin products made for higher absorption, a group that includes this formulation. The United States Drug Induced Liver Injury Network reported ten turmeric associated cases, most hepatocellular and most in women, including one death from acute liver failure, with a strong link to the HLA-B*35:01 gene variant. Stop and seek medical care for jaundice, dark urine, persistent nausea, unusual fatigue or pain under the right ribs.
Gallbladder: in a small crossover study, a single 20 mg dose of curcumin made the gallbladder contract more than placebo, so anyone with gallstones or bile duct problems should ask a doctor first.
Pregnancy: the US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states that turmeric supplements during pregnancy may be unsafe, and pregnant and breastfeeding women were excluded from the trials of this formulation.
Animal data: in a 28 day rat study funded by the maker, no toxic effects were found at the one dose tested, while blood clotting time was moderately longer in male rats. Animal results do not establish safety in people.

Important Drug interactions

Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel): both curcuRouge trials excluded people taking blood thinners or certain combinations of them, and in the maker's rat study blood clotting time was moderately longer in males. Ask a doctor before combining, and discuss stopping curcumin before surgery with the surgical team.
Other medicines: no drug interaction study has tested this formulation. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health advises talking with a health care provider before combining herbs with medicines, so tell your doctor or pharmacist about any supplement you take.

Frequently asked questions about curcuRouge® (Amorphous Curcumin Formulation)

What is curcuRouge?

It is a curcumin powder from Therabiopharma in Japan in which the curcumin has been converted from its usual crystal form into an amorphous form and blended with corn starch and modified starch. The powder is 37 to 40 percent curcumin by weight, and the capsules used in its trials held 90 mg of curcumin each. The maker reports much higher blood curcumin levels than ordinary curcumin, based on its own studies.

What has curcuRouge been tested for in people?

Two placebo-controlled trials have been published. In 39 adults over 60, 180 mg of curcumin a day for 4 weeks lowered a white blood cell ratio within the curcuRouge group but the groups were not compared directly, and in adults with mild COVID-19 the main outcome did not differ from placebo. A memory trial has published only its protocol. No health benefit is established.

What dose of curcuRouge was used in studies?

One capsule with 90 mg of curcumin twice daily (180 mg a day) for 4 weeks in older adults, and four capsules twice daily (720 mg a day) for 7 days in a short trial. Follow the product label and ask a health care provider for personal advice.

Is curcuRouge safe?

No adverse events were seen in the 4 week trial, and a maker-funded 28 day rat study found no toxic effects, but the only longer human trial, a 3 month knee study, has registry results only, where a few mild events occurred in both the curcumin and placebo groups. Curcumin products made for higher absorption have been linked to liver injury, so stop and see a doctor for yellowing skin, dark urine or unusual fatigue, and ask first if you take blood thinners, have gallbladder problems or are pregnant.

What is curcuRouge used for?

NutraSmarts does not list curcuRouge under a health category. What the research covers: In 39 adults aged 65 to 75, 90 mg of curcumin twice daily for 4 weeks lowered the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio within the curcuRouge group (median 1.70 to 1.36) while placebo did not change.

Does curcuRouge interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel): both curcuRouge trials excluded people taking blood thinners or certain combinations of them, and in the maker's rat study blood clotting time was moderately longer in males. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for curcuRouge?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for curcuRouge as Preliminary (1 out of 5). It is backed by 4 study summaries and 10 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(10 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Kishimoto A, Imaizumi A, Wada H, Yamakage H, Satoh-Asahara N, Hashimoto T, Hasegawa K. Newly Developed Highly Bioavailable Curcumin Formulation, curcuRouge(TM), Reduces Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio in the Elderly: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2021;67(4):249-252. doi: 10.3177/jnsv.67.249.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 40 adults aged 65 to 75 (39 analyzed) of curcuRouge, one 90 mg curcumin capsule twice daily for 4 weeks. Within the curcuRouge group the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio fell from a median of 1.70 to 1.36 (p = 0.020), with lower white cell and neutrophil counts and a higher lymphocyte percentage, while nothing changed on placebo (1.53 to 1.41, p = 0.881). Only within-group tests are reported, with no direct between-group comparison. No adverse events in either group. Registered UMIN000041042. The disclosure states that Therabiopharma develops and markets curcuRouge, supplied the capsules and had a joint research agreement with the hospital, and that the Robertet Group (France) supported Therabiopharma for the work.
  2. Kishimoto A, Komiyama M, Wada H, Satoh-Asahara N, Yamakage H, Ajiro Y, Aoyama H, Katsuura Y, Imaizumi A, Hashimoto T, Sunagawa Y, Morimoto T, Kanai M, Kakeya H, Hasegawa K. Efficacy of highly bioavailable oral curcumin in asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 patients: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. J Health Popul Nutr. 2024;43(1):93. doi: 10.1186/s41043-024-00584-6.PubMedUsed to support: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of curcuRouge, four 90 mg curcumin capsules twice daily (720 mg a day) for 7 days, in adults with asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 (138 analyzed). The primary outcome of fever, low blood oxygen, hospitalization or death occurred in 2 of 71 versus 4 of 67 on placebo (hazard ratio 0.532, 95 percent CI 0.097 to 2.902), not significant. Fever-reducing painkiller use did not differ. In those with normal baseline temperature, temperature fell slightly more on curcuRouge (p for interaction 0.014). The paper describes curcuRouge as about 100 times more bioavailable than conventional curcumin, a maker figure. Funded by a joint research agreement between NHO Kyoto Medical Center and Therabiopharma; five authors list Therabiopharma affiliations and two own equity in and consult for the company.
  3. Komiyama M, Ozaki Y, Wada H, Yamakage H, Satoh-Asahara N, Kishimoto A, Katsuura Y, Imaizumi A, Hashimoto T, Sunagawa Y, Morimoto T, Hasegawa K. Study protocol to determine the effects of highly absorbable oral curcumin on the indicators of cognitive functioning: a double-blind randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2022;12(9):e057936. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057936.PubMedUsed to support: Protocol only, with no results: a single-center randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial planned in 60 members of the public with possible mild cognitive impairment, taking curcuRouge or placebo capsules made by Therabiopharma, with the Japanese Mini Mental State Examination score at 24 weeks as the primary endpoint. The protocol states that curcuRouge came to market in September 2020 and that the company develops and markets it under a joint research agreement with the hospital. Registered UMIN000042471.
  4. Kapoor MP, Musumi K, Katsuura Y, Aoyama H, Kochizawa M, Tanigaki K, Kishimoto A, Hashimoto T. Evaluation of subacute toxicity of highly bioavailable curcuRouge® formulation by a repeated dose 28-day oral exposure toxicology study in sprague dawley rats with safety assessment. Toxicol Rep. 2026;17:102336. doi: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2026.102336. eCollection 2026 Dec..PubMedUsed to support: Animal study, not a human trial. Describes curcuRouge as amorphous curcumin (37 to 40 percent curcumin by weight) with corn starch and modified starch, made by Therabiopharma by melting, cooling and grinding crystalline curcumin. Rats given 750 mg/kg a day of the formulation (300 mg/kg of curcumin) for 28 days showed no deaths, illness or organ abnormalities; albumin rose, the cecum was enlarged and clotting time was moderately longer in males, changes judged non-adverse. The single dose tested was set as the no-observed-adverse-effect level. Fully funded by Therabiopharma; six of eight authors, including Kapoor MP, list Therabiopharma affiliations.
  5. Sunagawa Y, Miyazaki Y, Funamoto M, Shimizu K, Shimizu S, Nurmila S, Katanasaka Y, Ito M, Ogawa T, Ozawa-Umeta H, Hasegawa K, Morimoto T. A Novel Amorphous Curcumin Preparation Improved Oral Absorption Efficiency in Healthy Volunteers: A Single-Dose, Double-Blind, Two-Way Crossover Study. Research Square (preprint). 2020;Preprint posted 13 November 2020. doi: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-104381/v1. Later published in J Funct Foods 2021;81:104443 (not read)..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed indexed; preprint abstract read through Europe PMC. Rats and 12 healthy volunteers received curcuRouge, prepared by amorphous solid dispersion, or Theracurmin in a single-dose, double-blind crossover design. The authors report curcumin exposure over 8 hours 3.4 times and peak level 5.4 times that of Theracurmin in volunteers, and 3.7 and 9.6 times in rats. The abstract gives the human dose as 30 mg of curcumin in its methods and 90 mg in its results. Registered UMIN000039083.
  6. Lim GY. Therabiopharma's bioavailability boost for curcumin leads to plans for immunity, cognition and osteoarthritis studies. NutraIngredients. 2021;Trade news article, 18 May 2021..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed indexed; trade press. Reports that Therabiopharma, a Japanese company, developed curcuRouge in early 2020 with Professor Tatsuya Morimoto of the University of Shizuoka, that it is an amorphous formulation of curcumin extract with modified starch and corn starch, that the published absorption study was funded by the Japan Science and Technology Agency and Therabiopharma, and that the company planned immunity, cognition and knee joint trials.
  7. Japan Registry of Clinical Trials. Effects of Highly Absorptive Curcumin (curcured) on knee osteoarthritis for three months (jRCTs051200058). jRCT trial registry. 2023;Registered 24 September 2020; results posted 1 December 2023..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed indexed; registry record. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with monetary support from Therabiopharma in 90 outpatients aged 40 or older with medial knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade II or III), comparing high-dose and low-dose highly absorptive curcumin with placebo for 3 months. Primary outcomes were knee function and pain scores and NSAID dependence. Posted results: NSAID need and high-sensitivity CRP fell more on the high dose than placebo, and pain and knee scores improved more only in grade II patients; no effect sizes or p values are given. The arms are listed as 90 mg and 30 mg. Adverse events were posted in small numbers in all three groups, including placebo (gastrointestinal upset, vertigo, diarrhea, lower limb edema, itching), and the investigators state that none was related to the product. The registry lists the results as first published on 1 November 2023. The registry names the product curcured; the maker's later trial paper cites a knee trial of CurcuRouge by the same lead investigator.
  8. Halegoua-DeMarzio D, Navarro V, Ahmad J, Avula B, Barnhart H, Barritt AS, Bonkovsky HL, Fontana RJ, Ghabril MS, Hoofnagle JH, Khan IA, Kleiner DE, Phillips E, Stolz A, Vuppalanchi R. Liver Injury Associated with Turmeric-A Growing Problem: Ten Cases from the Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network [DILIN]. Am J Med. 2023;136(2):200-206. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2022.09.026.PubMedUsed to support: Ten cases of liver injury attributed to turmeric supplements, collected by a national United States injury network between 2004 and 2022; nine of the ten showed a hepatocellular pattern, eight were women, one patient died of acute liver failure, and seven of the ten carried the HLA-B*35:01 immune gene variant. Chemical analysis confirmed turmeric in all seven products tested and found black pepper compounds in three of them. This is a case series and did not involve curcuRouge; it cannot give a rate of injury per user.
  9. Rasyid A, Lelo A. The effect of curcumin and placebo on human gall-bladder function: an ultrasound study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1999;13(2):245-9. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2036.1999.00464.x.PubMedUsed to support: A randomized, double-blind crossover study in 12 healthy volunteers: a single 20 mg dose of curcumin reduced gallbladder volume on ultrasound by about 12 to 29 percent over two hours, significantly more than placebo, showing that curcumin makes the gallbladder contract. Cited for the gallbladder caution; a small single dose study of plain curcumin.
  10. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Turmeric. NCCIH Health Information (nccih.nih.gov). 2025;Last updated April 2025..SourceUsed to support: Not PubMed indexed. A US government fact sheet stating that oral turmeric can cause nausea and vomiting, acid reflux, stomach upset, diarrhea or constipation, that liver damage has been reported in some people taking bioavailable curcumin formulations, and that turmeric supplements during pregnancy may be unsafe.