OBJECTIVES:
Primary
* To determine levels of curcumin and its metabolites in normal colorectal tissue in patients undergoing colorectal endoscopy or colorectal cancer surgery following a 14-day course of curcumin.
Secondary
* To assess the practicality, acceptability, and safety of administering 5 capsules of curcumin daily for 14 days.
* To check the presence of curcumin and its metabolites in peripheral blood and urine.
OUTLINE: Patients receive oral curcumin once daily for 14-28 days. Patients then undergo colorectal endoscopy or resection.
Normal colorectal tissue samples are collected via biopsy for curcumin assay after the last dose of curcumin. Patients also undergo blood and urine sample collection at baseline and after the last dose of curcumin for pharmacokinetic analysis by high performance liquid chromatography.
After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up at 14 days.
