The Effects of Curcumin Supplementation on Metabolic Biomarkers and Body Mass Index in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#biomarkers #body-mass-index #curcumin #dietary-supplements #humans

The Effects of Curcumin Supplementation on Metabolic Biomarkers and Body Mass Index in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Khalili et al., 2022 | Curr Pharm Des | Meta Analysis

Citation

Khalili Leila, Nammi Srinivas. The Effects of Curcumin Supplementation on Metabolic Biomarkers and Body Mass Index in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Curr Pharm Des. 2022;28(23):1911-1925. doi:10.2174/1381612828666220328111141

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Curcumin is one of the most commonly used indigenous molecules endowed with various shielding functionalities that protect the liver. In the present research, we aimed to investigate the effects of curcumin on metabolic factors and body mass index (BMI) in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) using a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials. METHODS: Online databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Science Direct were searched until April 2021 to identify eligible articles. Fourteen trials were included. RESULTS: The results showed that curcumin consumption can significantly reduce AST (-0.35, (-0.57 to -0.14)), total cholesterol (-0.81, (-1.34 to -0.27)), TG (-0.49, (-0.71 to -0.27)), and FBS (-0.28, (-0.46 to -0.09)) in patients with NAFLD. However, the improvements in ALT (-0.29, (-0.58 to 0.00)), LDL (-0.48, (-0.97 to 0.01)), HDL (0.03, (-0.38 to 0.44)), and BMI (-0.13, (-0.29 to 0.02)) were not statistically significant. Furthermore, the findings revealed that the optimal dose and duration of curcumin consumption for patients with NAFLD is <500 mg/d for less than 10 weeks. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that consuming curcumin can improve liver enzymes, lipid profile, FBS, and BMI in patients with NAFLD. Moreover, curcumin supplementation may provide beneficial effects on metabolic biomarkers and body weight if used at the appropriate dose and duration. Further RCTs are required to confirm our findings.

Key Findings

The results showed that curcumin consumption can significantly reduce AST (-0.35, (-0.57 to -0.14)), total cholesterol (-0.81, (-1.34 to -0.27)), TG (-0.49, (-0.71 to -0.27)), and FBS (-0.28, (-0.46 to -0.09)) in patients with NAFLD. However, the improvements in ALT (-0.29, (-0.58 to 0.00)), LDL (-0.48, (-0.97 to 0.01)), HDL (0.03, (-0.38 to 0.44)), and BMI (-0.13, (-0.29 to 0.02)) were not statistically significant. Furthermore, the findings revealed that the optimal dose and duration of curcum

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

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

MeSH Terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Body Mass Index
  • Curcumin
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • 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