Drug Res (Stuttg) 2017; 67(04): 244-251
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-100019
Original Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Efficacy and Safety of Phytosomal Curcumin in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Yunes Panahi
1   Chemical Injuries Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
,
Parisa Kianpour
2   Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
,
Reza Mohtashami
3   Religion and Medicine Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
,
Ramezan Jafari
4   Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
,
Luis E. Simental-Mendía
5   Biomedical Research Unit, Mexican Social Security Institute, Durango, Mexico
,
Amirhossein Sahebkar
6   Biotechnology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
7   Metabolic Research Centre, Royal Perth Hospital, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
› Institutsangaben
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

received 05. November 2016

accepted 22. Dezember 2016

Publikationsdatum:
03. Februar 2017 (online)

Abstract

Objective

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.

Methods

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.

Results

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±1.25 vs.  − 0.15±1.31 in the curcumin and placebo groups, respectively; p=0.003) and waist circumference (−1.74±2.58 vs. −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.

Conclusion

Short-term supplementation with curcumin improves liver fat and transaminase levels in patients with NAFLD.

 
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