The effect of turmeric on lipid profile, malondialdehyde, liver echogenicity and enzymes among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized double blind clinical trial

Abstract

Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of liver transaminases elevation and a global health concern. Purpose This study designed to evaluate the effects of turmeric rhizomes (Curcumalonga Linn.) on liver enzymes, Lipid profiles and Malondialdehyde (MDA) in patients with NAFLD. Study design Randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial. Methods 64 cases of NAFLD randomly assigned to receive either turmeric (2 gr/day) or placebo for 8 weeks. The changes of liver transaminases, lipid profiles and MDA were measured before and after study period and compared between two groups (IRCT 2015092924262N1). Results At the end of the study, the Turmeric group showed a significant reduction in liver enzymes (AST before 26.81 ± 10.54 after 21.19 ± 5.67, P = 0.044, ALT before 39.56 ± 22.41, after 30.51 ± 12.61, P = 0.043 and GGT before33.81 ± 17.50, after 25.62 ± 9.88, P = 0.046) compared with the placebo group. The serum levels of triglycerides, LDL, HDL and MDA had also a significant decrease among turmeric group as compared to baseline while there was no significant change in placebo group (P < 0.05). The serum cholesterol, VLDL level and sonographic grades of NAFLD had not any significant change in both groups. Conclusion In conclusion this study suggests that daily consumption of turmeric (and its active phenolic ingredients as curcumin) supplementation could be effective in management of NAFLD and decreasing serum level of liver transaminases.

The effect of curcumin on hepatic fat content in individuals with obesity

“…40,42 We saw no effect of curcumin on plasma levels of GLP-1 during OGTT, contrasting to previous preclinical findings of curcumin-induced secretion of GLP-1. [58][59][60] We saw no effects of curcumin on anthropometric measures, confirming negative findings from most, 42,43,49,[61][62][63] but not all, previous human studies. [64][65][66] Obesity is associated with low-grade inflammation, which is often considered the culprit of the development of many obesity-related conditions and co-morbidities.…”

“…[38][39][40][41][42] Another study found a reduction in ultrasoundassessed HFC in the curcumin-treated group, but not when comparing with placebo. 43 Importantly, ultrasound is inferior to MRS [7][8][9] and considered sensitive only for HFC above 12.5%, 44 confounding the above-mentioned results. To our knowledge, the present study is the first to investigate curcumin's effect on MRS-assessed HFC.…”

“…Randomized controlled trials have been carried out showing a decrease in ultrasound‐assessed HFC in patients diagnosed with steatosis when treating with curcumin 38‐42 . Another study found a reduction in ultrasound‐assessed HFC in the curcumin‐treated group, but not when comparing with placebo 43 . Importantly, ultrasound is inferior to MRS 7‐9 and considered sensitive only for HFC above 12.5%, 44 confounding the above‐mentioned results.…”

“…We found a significant effect of curcumin on GGT, but this was driven by a significant increase of GGT in the placebo group and a non‐significant decrease in the curcumin group. Other studies have shown small reductions 43 or no effect of curcumin on GGT 48,49 . One study has shown a significant decrease in liver stiffness using FibroScan after curcumin treatment; however, when compared with placebo, the significance disappeared 10 .…”

Potential Role of Curcumin for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

“…In animal stress models, curcumin has protected against increases in oxidative stress by lowing malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl concentrations, and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase [ 10 , 38 , 39 , 55 ]. Human trials have also confirmed curcumin’s antioxidant effects via reductions in malondialdehyde in adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [ 103 ] and moderately physically active females [ 104 ]. Moreover, increased catalase activity in haemodialysis patients [ 105 ] and total antioxidant capacity and glutathione levels in adults with type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease [ 106 ] have been observed.…”