The potential of curcumin for treating spinal cord injury: a meta-analysis study

Kahuripour et al., 2023 | Nutr Neurosci | Meta Analysis

Citation

Kahuripour Mahnaz, Behroozi Zahra, ... Ramezani Fatemeh. The potential of curcumin for treating spinal cord injury: a meta-analysis study. Nutr Neurosci. 2023-Jun;26(6):560-571. doi:10.1080/1028415X.2022.2070703

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In this paper, we conducted a meta-analysis on the curcumin effect on functional recovery provided by the Basso, Beattie, Brenham (BBB) test for rats, and the Basso mouse scale (BMS) for mice after spinal cord injury (SCI) in animal models. METHOD: Data mining was performed, and the standard mean difference (SMD) between the treated and control (untreated) groups was calculated using the STATA software. Quality control and subgroup analysis were performed. RESULTS: The analysis includes 24 experimental studies that showed curcumin had a strong significance in improving functional recovery after SCI (SMD = 3.38; 95% CI: 2.54-4.22; p < 0.001). When curcumin was administered daily, it had a stronger effect than single-dose treatment or weekly administration. Despite the same effect in the follow-up time before and after 4 weeks post-injury, but later 9 weeks, curcumin had only a moderate effect. Curcumin also significantly reduced the expression of GFAP (Glial fibrillary acidic protein) marker compared to untreated groups. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that daily administration of curcumin can be an effective approach to improving functional recovery after SCI.

Key Findings

The analysis includes 24 experimental studies that showed curcumin had a strong significance in improving functional recovery after SCI (SMD = 3.38; 95% CI: 2.54-4.22; p < 0.001). When curcumin was administered daily, it had a stronger effect than single-dose treatment or weekly administration. Despite the same effect in the follow-up time before and after 4 weeks post-injury, but later 9 weeks, curcumin had only a moderate effect. Curcumin also significantly reduced the expression of GFAP (Glia

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

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

MeSH Terms

  • Rats
  • Mice
  • Animals
  • Curcumin
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Recovery of Function
  • Spinal Cord

Evidence Classification

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

Provenance


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