A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials on Curcumin-Piperine Supplementation: A Promising Strategy for Managing Lipid Profiles and Liver Health in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

IF 2.2 4区医学 Q2 INTEGRATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE

Journal of Herbal Medicine Pub Date : 2025-03-04 DOI:10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101006

Maryam Gholami Shahrebabak , Seyed Payam Shahabi Haghighi , Mahdi Ravankhah , Alireza Zare , Vahid Bazyari , Bahareh Izadi

{"title":"A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials on Curcumin-Piperine Supplementation: A Promising Strategy for Managing Lipid Profiles and Liver Health in Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease","authors":"Maryam Gholami Shahrebabak , Seyed Payam Shahabi Haghighi , Mahdi Ravankhah , Alireza Zare , Vahid Bazyari , Bahareh Izadi","doi":"10.1016/j.hermed.2025.101006","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>NAFLD, including simple fatty liver and steatohepatitis, is a widespread condition, driving research into its treatment. This meta-analysis assesses curcumin and piperine effects on lipids and liver enzymes in adults with fatty liver.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A comprehensive search of various databases (Cochrane, Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase) identified a total of 1 419 articles up to September 1, 2024. We used subgroup and sensitivity analyses to detect the source of heterogeneity.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Six studies met the inclusion criteria after thorough screening. Primary outcomes assessed included lipid levels (low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol) and liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase), alongside the severity of NAFLD. The result of meta-analysis indicated that curcumin-piperine supplementation led to significant reductions in triglycerides (weighted mean difference [<strong>WMD</strong>] = −8.27 mg/dl, <em>P</em> < 0.05) and elevated high-density lipoprotein-C levels (WMD = 2.14 mg/dl, <em>P</em> < 0.05). Although non-significant reductions were observed for total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-C, aspartate aminotransferase levels significantly decreased (WMD = −1.73 IU/L, <em>P</em> < 0.05), while alanine aminotransferase showed a non-significant decline. Notably, the severity of NAFLD significantly decreased in grade 3 patients (odds ratio = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.14–0.83).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Curcumin-piperine supplementation shows promise in managing liver impairment and lipid abnormalities in NAFLD patients. However, limitations such as the small number of studies and heterogeneity in protocols highlight the need for larger, well-designed trials. While no universally approved pharmacotherapy for NAFLD exists, curcumin-piperine may serve as a complementary or alternative option, warranting further investigation to optimise its therapeutic potential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56077,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Herbal Medicine","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 101006"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Herbal Medicine","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221080332500017X","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"INTEGRATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE","Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

NAFLD, including simple fatty liver and steatohepatitis, is a widespread condition, driving research into its treatment. This meta-analysis assesses curcumin and piperine effects on lipids and liver enzymes in adults with fatty liver.

Methods

A comprehensive search of various databases (Cochrane, Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase) identified a total of 1 419 articles up to September 1, 2024. We used subgroup and sensitivity analyses to detect the source of heterogeneity.

Results

Six studies met the inclusion criteria after thorough screening. Primary outcomes assessed included lipid levels (low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol) and liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase), alongside the severity of NAFLD. The result of meta-analysis indicated that curcumin-piperine supplementation led to significant reductions in triglycerides (weighted mean difference [WMD] = −8.27 mg/dl, P < 0.05) and elevated high-density lipoprotein-C levels (WMD = 2.14 mg/dl, P < 0.05). Although non-significant reductions were observed for total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-C, aspartate aminotransferase levels significantly decreased (WMD = −1.73 IU/L, P < 0.05), while alanine aminotransferase showed a non-significant decline. Notably, the severity of NAFLD significantly decreased in grade 3 patients (odds ratio = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.14–0.83).

Conclusions

Curcumin-piperine supplementation shows promise in managing liver impairment and lipid abnormalities in NAFLD patients. However, limitations such as the small number of studies and heterogeneity in protocols highlight the need for larger, well-designed trials. While no universally approved pharmacotherapy for NAFLD exists, curcumin-piperine may serve as a complementary or alternative option, warranting further investigation to optimise its therapeutic potential.

查看原文本刊更多论文

求助全文

约1分钟内获得全文求助全文

来源期刊

Journal of Herbal Medicine INTEGRATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE-

CiteScore

3.90

自引率

0.00%

发文量

期刊介绍： The Journal of Herbal Medicine, the official journal of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, is a peer reviewed journal which aims to serve its readers as an authoritative resource on the profession and practice of herbal medicine. The content areas of the journal reflect the interests of Medical Herbalists and other health professionals interested in the clinical and professional application of botanical medicines. The objective is to strengthen the research and educational base of herbal medicine with research papers in the form of case studies, original research articles and reviews, monographs, clinical trials and relevant in vitro studies. It also publishes policy statements, opinion pieces, book reviews, conference proceedings and profession related information such as pharmacovigilance reports providing an information source for not only the Herbal Practitioner but any Health professional with an interest in phytotherapy.