In a randomized controlled trial conducted in the US by using two diet-derived polyphenolic agents,
the renoprotective and anti-oxidant properties of curcumin, in combination with the natural bioflavonoid
quercetin, were tested in dialysis-dependent patients with cadaveric renal transplants . It is
known that the implicated mechanisms in renal graft rejection include alloimmune (T-cell-mediated
cytotoxicity) and non-immune factors (e.g., cytomegalovirus infection, endothelial injury, and
progressive atherosclerosis as a result of oxidative stress) [102,103]. In this study, both early graft and
delayed graft functions were significantly improved in the drug (480 mg of curcumin and 20 mg of
quercetin) treated group comparing to placebo group . Another interesting observation was that
tremor and neurotoxicity appeared to be less common in the drug treated group than in the control
group. The investigators suggested that HO-1 induction may play a role in the improved early
outcomes of cadaveric renal recipients treated with curcumin and bioflavonoids