The pharmacologic rationale for studying curcumin for the treatment of cystic fibrosis is the potential for curcumin to help correct a deficiency of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) protein. Cystic fibrosis results from a mutation of the CFTR gene, which produces abnormal CFTR protein that does properly transport chloride ion and water in the lung leading to abnormal mucus production. Curcumin is a potent inhibitor of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ pump, and lowers ER calcium concentration. This may allow abnormal CFTR protein to function properly as a chloride channel and correct the cystic fibrosis defect. If this is successful, this effect could be measured as a decrease in the nasal potential difference (NPD) and sweat chloride in cystic fibrosis patients.