Effectiveness of the piperine-supplemented Curcuma longa L. in metabolic control of patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial

Abstract

There is robust evidence of using Curcuma longa L. in reducing metabolic levels in people with diabetes. This study analysed the effectiveness of Curcuma longa L. in the metabolic control of patients with type 2 diabetes in Brazil. A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted with 71 participants divided into a Curcuma longa L. group (500 mg/day with piperine 5 mg) and a placebo group, for 120 days. Anthropometric, clinical and biochemical variables were evaluated at baseline, 60 and 120 days after the beginning of the intervention. Paired and independent Student’s t-test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. The curcuma group presented a significantly decreased glycaemia (p=.013), glycated haemoglobin (p=.015), HOMA index (p=.037) and triglycerides (TGs) (p=.002). The use of piperine-added Curcuma longa L. was effective in the glycaemic and TG control of patients with type 2 diabetes.

Keywords:

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• primary healthcare
• curcuminoids
• phytotherapy
• piperine
• glucose

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all patients and health professionals in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Development under Grant [number: 420122/2016-8]; Cearense Foundation to Support Scientific and Technological Development under Grant [number: 3926444/2017].