Curcumin-mediated reduction in hematologic parameters of iron metabolism in mice fed a low-iron diet depends on curcumin dose. (A) Plasma iron, transferrin saturation, hemoblogin, and hematocrit were measured in mice receiving 5 mg/kg dietary iron supplemented with curcumin at 0%, 0.2%, 0.5%, or 2.0%. Shown are means and SD; n = 5. The dose-dependent reduction in all parameters was statistically significant (P ≤ .009). (B) Representative peripheral blood smears from mice receiving 5 mg/kg dietary iron and 0%, 0.2%, 0.5%, or 2.0% curcumin.