The Science
The CurQD® Protocol was developed through years of research exploring the body’s natural pathways for maintaining gut balance and immune harmony. Its formulation combines two botanical compounds — curcumin and Qing Dai (Indigo naturalis) — which have each been studied for their unique interactions within the intestinal environment.
One of the key biological pathways associated with this combination is the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) — a receptor found throughout the gut lining that helps regulate the communication between the immune system, the intestinal barrier, and the microbiome. When activated by certain plant-derived molecules, AhR has been shown to contribute to maintaining equilibrium in these systems, supporting the body’s natural capacity for intestinal resilience.
CurQD®’s development was guided by this understanding, using a gut-directed strategy that focuses first on induction — helping the body establish balance — and then on carefully structured maintenance protocols designed to support ongoing stability over time.
This dual-phase approach reflects the real-world needs of people managing long-term gut health: addressing short-term discomfort while promoting lasting balance within the digestive system.
The studies that follow build on this scientific foundation, examining the CurQD® Protocol through both clinical research and real-world observation to better understand its safety, tolerability, and biological effects:
The Studies
Initial Multicenter Study on Active Ulcerative Colitis
A multicenter, real-world study conducted across five academic centers and published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics in 2023 and republished in the Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis in 2025, evaluated the use of CurQD® in adults with active ulcerative colitis, including patients with prior exposure to — and even failure on — biologics and small molecules.
Results
Across the study period, 46.5% of participants achieved clinical remission and 60.2% achieved a clinical response, with fecal calprotectin normalization observed in nearly 59% of cases. Median SCCAI scores dropped significantly, from 7 to 2 (p < 0.0001), and no severe adverse events were reported.
Takeaways
These results underscore CurQD®’s remarkable real-world efficacy — achieving remission and response rates comparable to those typically seen with advanced biologic therapies, yet through a safe, natural, and accessible protocol. The outcomes are particularly notable given that many participants had already failed or responded inadequately to biologics or small molecules.
Significance
By demonstrating similar levels of clinical success without the high cost or side-effect profile associated with conventional biologics, this study positions CurQD® as a groundbreaking adjunct or alternative therapy for ulcerative colitis — one that broadens treatment possibilities and offers renewed hope for patients seeking effective, sustainable remission.
ECCO Guidelines Inclusion
As of 2025, the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO) has officially included CurQD® in its treatment guidelines for ulcerative colitis following the publication of several studies (including the one summarized above and others listed on this page) proving CurQD®’s efficacy and safety. This recognition reflects the growing clinical evidence supporting CurQD® as a validated, evidence-based option within integrative IBD care — marking another milestone in its acceptance by the global gastroenterology community.
Harvard Medical Editorial
Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology published an editorial by Dr. Ashwin Ananthakrishnan of Harvard Medical School following the 2023 CurQD® randomized controlled trial. The piece commended the study’s rigor and relevance, recognizing CurQD® as a credible, evidence-based therapeutic — a rare distinction for a natural protocol. The editorial marked a turning point for CurQD®, signaling its acceptance within mainstream academic gastroenterology.
Bowel Urgency Improvement
A post-hoc analysis published in Journal of Crohn’s & Colitis examined data from the CurQD® randomized controlled trial in 2023 to evaluate its impact on bowel urgency — one of the most disruptive symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Patients treated with CurQD® showed a significant reduction in urgency, measured by the SCCAI score, compared to placebo. This was the first urgency-focused analysis of CurQD®, revealing its ability to alleviate a key quality-of-life symptom and reinforcing its broader therapeutic benefits beyond clinical remission alone.
First CurQD® Study Exclusively for Crohn’s Disease
The first multicenter real-world study focused exclusively on Crohn’s disease patients was published in the Journal of Crohn’s & Colitis in January 2025, followed by Frontiers in Gastroenterology in July 2025. The study examined CurQD®’s safety and efficacy as an add-on therapy among patients with active disease, including those previously treated with biologics.
Results
After 8–12 weeks of induction therapy, 76% of patients achieved a clinical response, 48% achieved clinical remission, and 75% showed at least a 50% reduction in fecal calprotectin. Biomarker remission was reached in 55% of cases. Among responders, 84% continued CurQD® for at least eight months, maintaining benefit with minimal side effects. Reported adverse events, such as mild headache or abdominal discomfort, were infrequent and resolved without complication.
Takeaways
The study demonstrated that CurQD® can safely induce clinical and biomarker remission in Crohn’s disease, with sustained benefit over time. These findings were particularly compelling given the high percentage of biologic-experienced patients in the cohort.
Significance
As the first dedicated analysis of CurQD® in Crohn’s disease, the study provided valuable evidence that its benefits extend beyond ulcerative colitis — offering a new, integrative option for patients managing chronic inflammation in the small or large intestine.
Ultrasound-Based Study at University of Chicago
A retrospective study conducted at the University of Chicago and published in Journal of Crohn’s & Colitis in January 2025 assessed the effects of CurQD® in adults with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease using intestinal ultrasound biomarkers, the first study to do so.
Results
Over an eight-week period, 65% of participants achieved clinical remission, 50% reached biomarker remission (defined as fecal calprotectin <150 μg/g), and 75% showed sonographic remission. Among ulcerative colitis patients on steroids, 67% achieved steroid-free remission. Median fecal calprotectin levels dropped from 507 to 157 in UC and from 254 to 54.6 in CD.
Takeaways
The study demonstrated that CurQD® effectively reduces both clinical symptoms and measurable inflammation on ultrasound and laboratory biomarkers within a short treatment period. The use of intestinal ultrasound provided visual confirmation of mucosal healing and inflammation resolution.
Significance
Led by Dr. David Rubin, this was the first U.S. study to validate CurQD®’s measurable anti-inflammatory effects using advanced imaging. The findings offered strong support for CurQD® as an objective, clinically effective treatment in both UC and Crohn’s disease.
Prolonged Multicenter International Pediatric Study
A multicenter real-world study published in 2024 in Frontiers in Pediatrics evaluated the safety and use of CurQD® in children and adolescents with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis who had not fully responded to conventional therapies. The study followed patients during both an induction and long-term maintenance phase.
Results
During the induction phase, patients experienced a significant improvement in disease activity, with clinical scores dropping sharply and inflammatory markers showing marked reductions. 91.7% showed improvement in their fecal calprotectin levels, a key marker of gut inflammation, and 58.3% achieved full normalization.
Over the following months, two-thirds (67%) of those who continued treatment maintained their progress or achieved remission.
Takeaways
The findings confirmed CurQD®’s ability to safely induce and maintain remission in a pediatric population, even among patients who had not responded to prior treatments. Improvements in objective biomarkers and long-term symptom stability underscored the protocol’s clinical relevance in children.
Significance
By establishing CurQD® as both effective and safe in pediatric UC, this study strengthened the evidence base supporting its use in younger patients — a demographic where therapeutic options are often limited and tolerance is crucial for adherence and outcomes.
International Multicenter Study
A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology in 2024 investigated the efficacy and safety of CurQD® in patients with active ulcerative colitis. Conducted across leading medical centers in Greece and Israel, the study enrolled eighty-eight participants representing a wide range of disease severities and prior treatment histories.
Results
At eight weeks, 85.7% of patients treated with CurQD® achieved a clinical response compared to 30.7% in the placebo group. Clinical remission was reported in 50% of those on CurQD® versus 8% on placebo, while endoscopic improvement occurred in 75% and 20%, respectively. During the maintenance phase, patients who continued curcumin alone maintained clinical response in 93% of cases and clinical remission in 80%.
Takeaways
This randomized controlled trial confirmed CurQD®’s significant clinical and endoscopic benefits for patients with active ulcerative colitis. The results support its use in both induction and maintenance of remission, highlighting sustained efficacy over time and a strong safety profile.
Significance
The study provided compelling clinical evidence for CurQD® as a validated therapeutic approach for UC. Researchers also noted that CurQD®’s mechanism of action may involve activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway — a novel target associated with immune regulation in the gut — marking an important step forward in the development of integrative, science-backed therapies for inflammatory bowel disease.
Pediatric IBD Case Series
A case series conducted at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and published in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in 2024 examined the use of CurQD® in eight pediatric patients between the ages of nine and seventeen diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease. The study aimed to evaluate CurQD® as an adjunct therapy for children who had not fully responded to standard treatment.
Results
Within 2.8 to 5.4 weeks of treatment, 75% of participants achieved clinical remission and 87.5% demonstrated a measurable clinical response. All patients tolerated the protocol well, with no significant adverse events reported.
Takeaways
The study demonstrated that CurQD® can rapidly induce clinical improvement in children with IBD, offering a safe, well-tolerated, and effective complement to existing treatment regimens. These results are particularly encouraging given the limited therapeutic options available for pediatric patients with refractory disease.
Significance
By showing substantial improvement in remission and response rates in a short time frame, this study highlights CurQD®’s potential to fill an important gap in pediatric IBD care — providing a natural, evidence-based therapy that supports remission without increasing medication burden or side effects.
European Study: Vedolizumab + CurQD® Combination
A European prospective study published in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in 2025 investigated the combined use of Vedolizumab and CurQD® in patients with active ulcerative colitis, exploring whether the two therapies could enhance each other’s effectiveness.
Results
After twelve weeks, 91% of patients achieved clinical response, 81% achieved clinical remission, and 36% reached endoscopic remission. All patients were steroid-free by week twelve. The only reported adverse event was a mild, reversible case of alopecia.
Takeaways
The study showed that combining Vedolizumab with CurQD® can enhance clinical, endoscopic, and biochemical outcomes compared to typical response rates seen with biologic therapy alone. The combination was well tolerated and demonstrated no safety concerns.
Significance
This trial provided early evidence that CurQD® can act synergistically with biologics, optimizing treatment outcomes while minimizing reliance on corticosteroids. It represents a step toward integrated therapeutic models in IBD care.
Pediatric Safety Study on CurQD®
A prospective, open-label study published in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases in 2025, conducted at Rabin Medical Center, evaluated CurQD® over a period of six weeks.
Results
After six weeks of treatment, the study proved CurQD® to be safe and effective in inducing remission in pediatric patients with mild–moderate ulcerative colitis.
Takeaways
The trial confirmed CurQD®’s safety and effectiveness for short-term induction in pediatric UC, achieving remission rates comparable to those of standard therapies with a favorable safety profile.
Significance
These findings established CurQD® as a viable therapeutic option for children with mild-to-moderate UC. The study’s positive safety outcomes support its integration into pediatric treatment strategies as a gentle yet effective alternative to conventional approaches.
CurQD® Monotherapy Remission in Severe Crohn’s: Case Report
A case report published in Case Reports in Gastroenterology in 2025 described the first documented case of full clinical and endoscopic remission achieved using CurQD® monotherapy in a patient with severe Crohn’s disease.
Results
The patient, who had discontinued infliximab due to cardiomyopathy, initiated CurQD® independently and experienced rapid, sustained improvement. After more than six months, bowel frequency normalized to one to two movements per day with no blood or pain, and endoscopic remission was confirmed — SES-CD score improved from 16 to 3. Remission was maintained beyond thirty-one months without additional medication.
Takeaways
This case demonstrated CurQD®’s potential to achieve deep, durable remission as a standalone therapy in Crohn’s disease, even in patients unable to continue biologic treatment.
Significance
Documented by Dr. Netanel Krugliak and Dr. Mark S. Silverberg at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, this case report adds to the growing body of evidence that CurQD® can serve as a safe and effective primary therapy under certain clinical conditions.