Efficacy and Safety of Phytosomal Curcumin in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver disease characterized by excess lipid deposition in the hepatic tissue and subsequent oxidative and inflammatory damage. Curcumin is a dietary polyphenol with lipid-modifying, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of supplementation with phytosomal curcumin in subjects with NAFLD.Patients diagnosed with NAFLD (grades 1-3 according to liver ultrasonography) were randomly assigned to the curcumin (phytosomal form; 1 000 mg/day in 2 divided doses) (n=50) or placebo group (n=52) for a period of 8 weeks. All patients received dietary and lifestyle advises before the start of trial. Anthropometric measurements, hepatic enzymes, and liver ultrasonography were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks of follow-up.87 subjects (n=44 and 43 in the curcumin and control group, respectively) completed the trial. Supplementation with curcumin was associated with a reduction in body mass index (-0.99±1.25vs.- 0.15±1.31 in the curcumin and placebo groups, respectively; p=0.003) and waist circumference (-1.74±2.58vs.-0.23±3.49 in the curcumin and placebo groups, respectively; p=0.024). Ultrasonographic findings were improved in 75.0% of subjects in the curcumin group, while the rate of improvement in the control group was 4.7% (p<0.001). Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were reduced by the end of trial in the curcumin group (p<0.001) but elevated in the control group (p<0.001). Curcumin was safe and well tolerated during the course of trial.Short-term supplementation with curcumin improves liver fat and transaminase levels in patients with NAFLD.
Chemical Injuries Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Yunes
Y
Panahi
Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Parisa
P
Kianpour
Religion and Medicine Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Reza
R
Mohtashami
Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Ramezan
R
Jafari
Biomedical Research Unit, Mexican Social Security Institute, Durango, Mexico.
Luis E
LE
Simental-Mendía
Biotechnology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Amirhossein
A
Sahebkar
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003474:Curcumin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004304:Dosage Forms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D065626:Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055105:Waist Circumference / Q000187:drug effects
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D004304:Dosage Forms; D059808:Polyphenols; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D003474:Curcumin