title: An investigation of the effects of curcumin on anxiety and depression in obese individuals: A randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effectiveness of curcumin, a natural polyphenolic compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, on the frequency of symptoms of anxiety and depression in obese individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this double blind, cross-over trial, 30 obese subjects were randomized to receive either curcumin (1 g/day) or placebo for a period of 30 days. Following a wash-out interval of 2 weeks, each subject was crossed over to the alternative regimen for a further 30 days. Severity of anxiety and depression was assessed at baseline and at weeks 4, 6 and 10 of the trial using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scales, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean BAI score was found to be significantly reduced following curcumin therapy (P=0.03). However, curcumin supplementation did not exert any significant impact on BDI scores (P=0.7).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Curcumin has a potential anti-anxiety effect in individuals with obesity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Research Health Center, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Habibollah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Esmaily
authors.forename: Amirhossein
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sahebkar
authors.forename: Mehrdad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iranshahi
authors.forename: Shiva
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ganjali
authors.forename: Akram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mohammadi
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ferns
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghayour-Mobarhan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003474:Curcumin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003710:Demography; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D003474:Curcumin