Abstract
Turmeric-induced liver damage, which is driven mostly by allergic mechanisms, is the most common disease related to health food intake. A positive drug-induced lymphocyte stimulation test (DLST) is considered evidence in the diagnosis of this condition. However, a false positive result may occur with the DLST as the blood concentration of turmeric in the body is unclear, which casts doubt on the reliability of the test. This reliability problem is mainly due to insufficient control data about antigen activity during the testing process. Given these circumstances, this study examined the optimal antigen concentration of turmeric using the leukocyte migration test (LMT).
The results of nine volunteer healthy individuals suggested that a reaction at antigen levels of 0.1 µg/mL or higher could produce false positive reactions through the effects of mitogen activation. Therefore, when DLST, LMT, or any other similar test is performed for turmeric, an antigen response of 10 ng/mL or lower is necessary. The results of these tests for curcumin also suggested that the same level of concentration is suitable.
