Curcumin and inflammation in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial

BMC Gastroenterol. 2019 Jul 25;19(1):133. doi: 10.1186/s12876-019-1055-4.

Abstract

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of curcumin supplementation on inflammatory indices, and hepatic features in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: Fifty patients with NAFLD were randomized to receive lifestyle modification advice plus either 1500 mg curcumin or the same amount of placebo for 12 weeks.

Results: Curcumin supplementation was associated with significant decrease in hepatic fibrosis (p < 0.001), and nuclear factor-kappa B activity (p < 0.05) as compared with the baseline. Hepatic steatosis and serum level of liver enzymes, and tumor necrosis-α (TNF-α) significantly reduced in both groups (p < 0.05). None of the changes were significantly different between two groups.

Conclusion: Our results indicated that curcumin supplementation plus lifestyle modification is not superior to lifestyle modification alone in amelioration of inflammation.

Trial registration: IRCT20100524004010N24, this trial was retrospectively registered on May 14, 2018.

Keywords: Curcumin; Fatty liver; Inflammation; NAFLD; NASH.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / administration & dosage
  • Curcumin / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation* / drug therapy
  • Inflammation* / pathology
  • Liver Function Tests / methods
  • Liver* / drug effects
  • Liver* / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • NF-kappa B / analysis
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* / blood
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* / pathology
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* / psychology
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease* / therapy
  • Risk Reduction Behavior*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / analysis

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • NF-kappa B
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Curcumin