NutriStack
Sulfasalazine and Turmeric/Curcumin, a synergy.
Curcumin has been studied as an add-on to sulfasalazine or mesalamine for ulcerative colitis remission maintenance. In a randomized trial, adding curcumin to standard 5-ASA therapy reduced relapse during the treatment period and improved clinical and endoscopic activity scores. This is an adjunctive anti-inflammatory strategy, not a replacement for sulfasalazine.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
From the interaction database
What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
At a glance
- Substances
- Sulfasalazine and Turmeric/Curcumin
- Pair type
- Synergy
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Moderate
- Source citations
- 2 sources
- Stack Score effect
- +2 to your Stack Score (per scored synergy row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Synergy · Moderate evidence
Synergy
What is happening. Curcumin has been studied as an add-on to sulfasalazine or mesalamine for ulcerative colitis remission maintenance. In a randomized trial, adding curcumin to standard 5-ASA therapy reduced relapse during the treatment period and improved clinical and endoscopic activity scores. This is an adjunctive anti-inflammatory strategy, not a replacement for sulfasalazine.
Mechanism. Sulfasalazine delivers 5-aminosalicylic acid to the colon and reduces mucosal inflammatory signaling. Curcumin has complementary effects on NF-kappaB, cytokine signaling, oxidative stress, and mucosal inflammatory pathways.
Recommendation. If your ulcerative colitis is stable on sulfasalazine, discuss curcumin as an adjunct rather than stopping your prescription. Avoid high-dose curcumin if you have gallbladder disease, are on anticoagulants, or are scheduled for surgery. Track stool frequency, bleeding, and abdominal pain so flares are not missed.
Sources (2)
- Hanai H, Iida T, Takeuchi K, et al. Curcumin maintenance therapy for ulcerative colitis: randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006;4(12):1502-1506. PMID 17101300
- Kumar S, Ahuja V, Sankar MJ, Kumar A, Moss AC. Curcumin for maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;(10):CD008424. PMID 23076948
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Sulfasalazine and Turmeric/Curcumin are in the same stack, this pair applies +2 to your Stack Score (per scored synergy row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
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