Effects of Curcumin on Glycemic Control and Lipid Profile in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis

Abstract

The therapeutic effects of curcumin for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remain inconclusive. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of curcumin on glycemic control and lipid profile in patients with PCOS. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched from the inception through 28 November 2020. Randomized control trials (RCTs), which enrolled adult patients with PCOS, compared curcumin with placebo regarding the glycemic control and lipid profile, and reported sufficient information for performing meta-analysis, were included. Three RCTs were included. Curcumin significantly improves fasting glucose (mean difference (MD): −2.77, 95% confidence interval (CI): −4.16 to −1.38), fasting insulin (MD: −1.33, 95% CI: −2.18 to −0.49), Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) (MD: −0.32, 95% CI: −0.52 to −0.12), and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (MD: 0.010, 95% CI: 0.003–0.018). It also significantly improves high-density lipoprotein (MD: 1.92, 95% CI: 0.33–3.51) and total cholesterol (MD: −12.45, 95% CI: −22.05 to −2.85). In contrast, there is no statistically significant difference in the improvement in low-density lipoprotein (MD: −6.02, 95% CI: −26.66 to 14.62) and triglyceride (MD: 8.22, 95% CI: −26.10 to 42.53) between curcumin and placebo. The results of the fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, QUICKI, and total cholesterol are conclusive as indicated by the trial sequential analysis. Curcumin may improve glycemic control and lipid metabolism in patients with PCOS and metabolic abnormality without significant adverse effects. Further studies are advocated to investigate the potential effects of curcumin on hyperandrogenism.

Effect of Curcumin on Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials

“…In addition, the hypolipidemic effects of curcumin are also attributed to the suppression of the rate-limiting enzyme in the TC synthesis pathway; upregulation of the expressions of ABCA1, Apo-A1, and SR-BI, which are associated with reverse TC transport through HDL-C particles; induction of LDL-C-receptor expression; and inhibition of ApoB100 expression [ 38 ]. Meta-analyses of RCTs reported that curcumin supplementation showed benefits on lipid metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes [ 39 ], polycystic ovary syndrome [ 14 ], and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease [ 40 ]. Our findings demonstrated a remarkable reduction in the TC level after curcumin administration in patients with DKD.…”

“…Evidence from both in vivo and vitro studies indicated a strong potential effect of curcumin against insulin resistance and diabetes [ 48 , 49 ]. Previous meta-analyses showed that curcumin significantly improved FBG levels in individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome [ 14 ], some degree of dysglycemia [ 50 ], and metabolic syndrome [ 44 ]. Consistent with these findings, we also observed conspicuous effects of curcumin supplementation on FBG levels in patients with DKD, adding to the existing evidence on the benefits of curcumin in improving FBG.…”

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Insulin-Resistant Adolescents with Obesity: The Role of Nutrition Therapy and Food Supplements as a Strategy to Protect Fertility

“…Curcumin has been shown to be effective in metabolic syndrome [199]. It acts as an insulin sensitizer in animal models [200], while in RCT studies on subjects supplemented with 1500 mg for 3 to 9 months, it was able to reduce the rate of T2D onset, besides impacting cytokine secretion, adiponectin increase and leptin decrease [201,202] and lowering plasma lipids through increased expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) and apolipoprotein (APO)A-I [203].…”

“…In recent years, the use of probiotics, prebiotics or synbiotics (products containing pre-and probiotics together) to improve interactions between the gut microbiota and host metabolism in different chronic degenerative diseases has been investigated. A recently published review examined the effects of probiotics and synbiotics on obesity, IR, T2D and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) [200].…”

Nanocurcumin Modulates miR-223-3p and NF-κB Levels in the Pancreas of Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome to Attenuate Autophagy Flare, Insulin Resistance and Improve ß Cell Mass

“…Interestingly, emerging clinical trials are showing promising results for curcumin administration in PCOS and fatty liver. 21 , 69 , 70 Where curcumin effectively reduces the oxidative stress and inflammatory molecules that contribute to the loss of β cell mass and disturbed glucose metabolism. Moreover, the estrogenic activity of curcumin can attenuate the disturbed testosterone secretion by PCOS ovaries, decreasing the resulting oxidative stress conditions.…”