Does turmeric/curcumin supplementation improve serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

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#alanine-transaminase #aspartate-aminotransferases #curcuma #curcumin #dietary-supplements

Does turmeric/curcumin supplementation improve serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Goodarzi et al., 2019 | Phytother Res | Meta Analysis

Citation

Goodarzi Reza, Sabzian Kamran, ... Mansoori Anahita. Does turmeric/curcumin supplementation improve serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytother Res. 2019-Mar;33(3):561-570. doi:10.1002/ptr.6270

Abstract

We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of turmeric/curcumin supplementation on serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We searched PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar up to November 20, 2018. Studies that examined the effect of turmeric/curcumin on serum concentrations of ALT and AST among patients with NAFLD were included. The mean difference and standard deviation (SD) of changes in ALT and AST between intervention and control groups were used as effect size for the meta-analysis. A total of six randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible for meta-analysis. Results from pooled analysis revealed that turmeric/curcumin supplementation reduced ALT (MD: -7.31 UL/L, 95% CI [-13.16, -1.47], p = 0.014) and AST (MD: -4.68 UL/L, 95% CI [-8.75 -0.60], p = 0.026). When RCTs stratified on the basis of their treatment duration, the significant reduction in serum concentrations of ALT and AST was observed only in studies lasting less than 12 weeks. This review suggests that turmeric/curcumin might have a favorable effect on serum concentrations of ALT and AST in patients with NAFLD. However, further clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Key Findings

However, further clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Alanine Transaminase
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Curcuma
  • Curcumin
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Liver
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Male
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: curcumin-metabolic

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09