The effects of curcumin on the metabolic parameters of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Aims Evidence indicates that curcumin seems to improve outcomes in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effects of curcumin inNAFLD. Methods We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library from inception through March 2018 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the role of curcumin inNAFLD. The mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Results Four RCTs with a total of 229 NAFLD patients were included. Curcumin was more likely to lower LDL-C, triglycerides, FBS, HOMA-IR, weight and AST levels compared with placebo, and the difference was statistically significant [MD = − 27.02, 95% CI (− 52.30, − 1.74); MD = − 33.20, 95% CI (− 42.30, − 24.09); MD = − 5.63, 95% CI (− 10.36, − 0.90); MD = − 0.53, 95% CI (− 1.00, − 0.05); MD = − 2.27, 95% CI (− 3.11, − 1.44); MD = − 7.43, 95% CI (− 11.31, − 3.54), respectively]. However, the beneficial effect of curcumin did not achieve statistical significance in lowering total cholesterol, HDL-C, HbA1c, ALT or insulin levels [MD = − 30.47,95% CI (− 60.89. − 0.06); MD = − 0.98, 95% CI (− 2.88, 0.92); MD = − 0.41, 95% CI (− 1.41, 0.59); MD = − 6.02, 95% CI (− 15.61, 3.57); MD = − 0.92, 95% CI (− 2.33, 0.49)]. Conclusions Curcumin is effective in lowering LDL-C, triglycerides, FBS, HOMA-IR, weight, and AST levels in NAFLD patients, and it is well tolerated. Further RCTs are required to confirm our findings.