Curcumin Effects in Inducing Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) and Inhibiting of Salmonella typhi Growth in vivo

Background and aim: Curcumin has an antimicrobial effect, presumably due to its ability to bind vitamin D receptors (VDR). This study aimed to investigate the curcumin effects in inducing VDR and inhibiting of Salmonella typhi growth in vivo. Materials and methods: Mice were divided into: group I (curcumin 200 mg/kg/bw), group II (curcumin 400 mg/kg b.w), positive control and negative control. The intervention was carried out for 5 days. After the fifth day, mice were maintained for 3 weeks to determine the amount of colony growth in the post-intervention period and examination of level VDR in serum. Results: In group with curcumin 200 mg/kg/bw there was a decreased in average number of colonies of 23.60 CFU/ml (p<0.001). The decline in the average number of colonies was also present in the intervention group with curcumin 400 mg/kg/bw at 17.20 CFU/ml (p<0.000). Serum levels of VDR significantly increased five days after treatment with curcumin (200 and 400 mg/kg bw) p<0.018 and p<0.002, respectively). Conclusion: Curcumin (200 and 400 mg/kg/bw) significantly increases serum levels of vitamin D receptors and inhibit the growth of S. Typhi colony. Antimicrobial component curcumin as a potential agent in adjuvant therapy for increasing immunity as well as a therapeutic alternative other than antibiotics in treating typhoid fever.