Evaluation of the effect of curcumin on pneumonia: A systematic review of preclinical studies

Alikiaii et al., 2021 | Phytother Res | Systematic Review

Citation

Alikiaii Babak, Bagherniya Mohammad, ... Sahebkar Amirhossein. Evaluation of the effect of curcumin on pneumonia: A systematic review of preclinical studies. Phytother Res. 2021-Apr;35(4):1939-1952. doi:10.1002/ptr.6939

Abstract

Pneumonia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and causes a significant burden on the healthcare systems. Curcumin is a natural phytochemical with anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplastic characteristics. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of published studies on the effect of curcumin on preclinical models of pneumonia. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar from inception up to March 1, 2020 to recognize experimental or clinical trials assessing the effects of curcumin on pneumonia. We identified 17 primary citations that evaluated the effects of curcumin on pneumonia. Ten (58.8%) studies evaluated the effect of curcumin on mouse models of pneumonia, generated by intranasal inoculation of viruses or bacteria. Seven (41.2%) studies evaluated the inhibitory effects of curcumin on the pneumonia-inducing bacteria. Our results demonstrated that curcumin ameliorated the pneumonia-induced lung injury, mainly through a reduction of the activity and infiltration of neutrophils and the inhibition of inflammatory response in mouse models. Curcumin ameliorates the severity of pneumonia through a reduction in neutrophil infiltration and by amelioration of the exaggerated immune response in preclinical pneumonia models.

Key Findings

Curcumin ameliorates the severity of pneumonia through a reduction in neutrophil infiltration and by amelioration of the exaggerated immune response in preclinical pneumonia models.

Outcomes Measured

  • inflammatory markers

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Curcumin
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Pneumonia

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Systematic Review
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: curcumin

Provenance


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