Effects of high-absorption curcumin for the prevention of hypertensive heart disease: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical study

Abstract

Aims Hypertension is a strong risk factor for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Curcumin has p300-specific histone acetyltransferase inhibitory activity, suppresses cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis, and significantly reduces myocardial brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) expression without altering blood pressure in a rat model of hypertensive heart disease. This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study, for the first time, aimed to examine the efficacy of a high-absorption curcumin for the prevention of hypertensive heart disease in humans. Methods and results Patients exhibiting initial signs of hypertensive heart disease with left ventricular ejection fraction ≥60% and stable blood pressure <140/90 mmHg orally took a double-blinded capsule (either a 90 mg curcumin capsule or placebo) twice daily for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was per cent changes in left ventricular diastolic function (E/E′) from baseline to 6 months after administration. The secondary endpoint was the per cent change in plasma BNP levels. The E/E′ ratio per cent change from baseline to 6 months after administration was similar between the placebo (n = 69) and the curcumin (n = 73) groups. The per cent change in plasma BNP levels was significantly lower in the curcumin group than in the placebo group. In patients <65 years, BNP per cent changes were significantly lower in the curcumin group than in the placebo group, but similar between groups in ≥65 years (<65 vs. ≥65 years: P for interaction = 0.011). Conclusions A high-absorption curcumin agent did not affect the E/E′ ratio, rather it significantly inhibited the increase in plasma BNP levels in patients with initial signs of hypertensive heart disease.

Impact of polyphenols on heart failure and cardiac hypertrophy: clinical effects and molecular mechanisms

“…In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial, the effect of high-dose of curcumin (a 90 mg curcumin capsule, twice a day for 24 weeks) on the prevention of hypertensive heart disease was investigated. The results indicated that high curcumin absorption had no significant effects on left ventricular diastolic function but significantly suppressed increment in the plasma BNP levels ( 279 ). In another double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical study, the efficiency of nano-curcumin (80 mg/day) consumption on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type diabetics as well as mild to moderate coronary artery disease.…”

Highlights from 2022 in EHJ Open

“…Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been published in EHJ Open since the start of the journal. 1 , 2 A RCT in patients with signs of mild hypertensive heart disease 3 published in the section on Hypertension ( Section and Deputy Editor Thomas Kahan ) in 2022 examined the effects of curcumin, a polyphenol compound derived from the herb turmeric with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects, and animal experimental evidence suggesting effects to reduce the development of hypertensive heart disease. The study showed that treatment with curcumin for 24 weeks reduced plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels, as compared to placebo, while diastolic function (by echocardiography) was unchanged.…”

“…The study showed that treatment with curcumin for 24 weeks reduced plasma brain natriuretic peptide levels, as compared to placebo, while diastolic function (by echocardiography) was unchanged. 3 Whether curcumin may offer an opportunity to prevent the transition from hypertension to heart failure with preserved function requires further study.…”